Summarizes the first phase of a federally funded study of 157 clearinghouses that store data on human services. Factors addressed include the tasks of a clearinghouse, its potential for overlap, its relationship to its parent organization, the types of product and services it provides, and how it uses its database. (FM)

Discusses how recent changes in federal policies have adversely affected cities. Modifications of the state block grant system, tax laws, reductions in federal support for welfare programs, and a massive federal debt have all hurt urban economies. (AM)

The oversupply of faculty in particular academic disciplines is an increasing problem. Several solutions to the consequences of this oversupply are outlined: increased use of these people by the educational institution; reduced supply; or alternative uses of presently employed faculty, such as through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.…

Summarizes some past and current entrepreneurship initiatives that have taken place at the federal level, focusing on the role of vocational education. (CT)

Describes youth unemployment in the United States and outlines major aspects of the Youth Employment and Demonstrations Project Act of 1977. Cites illustrations of demonstrations authorized by the program and discusses the role that research, evaluation, and experimentation play in youth initiatives. (Author/GC)

The jobless rates of participants in the federal food stamps program and in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program greatly exceeded national averages in 1976; the majority of recipients were outside of the labor force. (BM)

Describes the development of a prototype database of federal food, agriculture, and nutrition programs: preliminary work; database design, including the identification of data elements; and data collection and processing. The uses of the database and suggestions for enhancing its future usefulness are discussed. (Author/JD)

Concludes that the Department of Education reflects an absence of new ideas about what ails education and that its establishment is merely symbolic action. (IRT)

A former MDTA and CETA project coordinator describes the goals and frustrations accrued during several years' field experience with funded programs. He recommends a redirection of CETA back toward a vocational and occupational training emphasis. This would serve to enlarge the skills and competencies of those covered by the program. (CT)

Discusses the federal government's progress toward the formation of a national energy policy and briefly describes the energy activities of government agencies, especially the Department of Energy. (SK)

In this interview, John Carr, the executive director of the 1980 White House Conference on Families, discusses some of the conference participants and proceedings and some of its major recommendations and intended follow-up activities to promote a "family perspective" in government and industry policymaking. (SJL)

Described are the career background and responsibilities of Bob Shephard, Associate Director of the National Sea Grant College program, Head of the Human Resources Division and Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations' Marine Advisory Service. (DS)

Certain expectations that federal officials have about evaluation researchers are discussed. Included are: (1) presence of a clear understanding of what evaluation means; (2) procedure for carrying out an evaluation; and (3) understanding by the evaluator of how the research relates to the decision-making process. (Author/GK)

Presents an assessment of the implementation of the Career Education Incentive Act program. A major finding was that the goals of widespread career education implementation as a result of the Act were probably unattainable, given the low levels of funding provided to states during the first years of operation. (CT)

Examines the interrelationship between the National Diffusion Network and the Office of Career Education. Discusses initial collaborative efforts (fiscal year 1979), further efforts (fiscal year 1980), and plans for the future. (CT)