Discusses the lobbying efforts for Aid to Families with Dependent Children in the Alaskan legislature, looking at the influence of political party, economics, constitutencies, professional staffing, cue taking, and general lobbying. Notes that such efforts test and refine social work lobbying tactics and contribute to the development of a…

Examines the basic tenets of a l983 Texas law permitting videotaped interviews of child victims of abuse to be admissible in civil and criminal proceedings. Discusses how the law is being implemented and how it protects legal rights of child victims, alleged perpetrators, and society at large. (Author/NH)

College and university appropriations are summarized, including special project support, and tuition and salary changes made in signed legislation in California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. (MSE)

Presents results from a study by the East Texas School Study Council on the impact of two major pieces of reform legislation passed by the state legislature in 1984. Includes five tables and a list of references. (MD)

Computer literacy is now considered a basic skill as important as the Three R's in Florida, where instructors have been given a legislative mandate to ensure it. A leader in this movement shares the written standards that support this mandate and explains how they were developed. (JN)

Questions the current push to improve education through legislation of higher standards in education. In Virginia the school boards association distributes a handbook of policies and resolutions to state legislators and asks that schools delinquent in standards be placed in receivership rather than impose educational reforms from above that are…

Survey responses from 142 (66 percent) of the 214 Midwest schools that are members of the Association of Christian Schools International reveal that 73 percent of the schools require their teachers to hold valid state certificates. Tables illustrate state school and teacher certification requirements in 10 Midwestern states. (MLF)

Reviews two databases covering state and federal legislation--Electronic Legislative Search System and Legi-Slate--by comparing database coverage, documentation and training, pricing, and evaluation. Three additional databases offered by Public Affairs Information, S & FA Reporting Services, and Legislex are mentioned. Five sources are given. (EJS)

Reports on a survey of state directors of community college education conducted to identify significant actions taken by state legislatures to guide public policy for community colleges. Provides information on legislation considered or enacted in 1983. (DMM)

Discusses the problems presented by the plain language bill proposed for use in Pennsylvania. (FL)

A study of school board presidents and superintendents in Washington, Missouri, and New Jersey reveals that strict financial disclosure laws tend to reduce the number of professionals on boards; however, board members with professional occupations differ from other board members on a number of measures. (MLF)

Presents a consultation model that can serve to diminish the destructive impact of the adversarial process in child custody decisions. The process and procedures described are consonant with what most state statutes suggest as criteria for consideration in custody decisions and promote the best interests of the children. (JAC)

State legislatures rather than educators dominate educational policymaking. Professional educators must learn to work effectively with political institutions if they are to help shape policy in their field. (JOW)

Effective public regulation of social work is a priority of the profession. What has been achieved to date and what are the main deficiencies in existing legislation and its enforcement? This article analyzes the accomplishments in this area and suggests important steps for the future. (Author)

Changes in the capacity, internal distribution of power, habits of work, and composition of state legislators have increased their involvement and assertiveness in educational policy formation, oversight, and control. (Author/MLF)