One of the most important groups in the community is the local government. If local officials back intellectual freedom, the library gains powerful allies. (Author)

Attempts a brief analysis of the traditional decision-making process for budget preparation and the alternative, program planning, budgeting system (PPBS), in an effort to determine the effect of PPBS on the decision-making process for resource allocation and to answer the question of whether PPBS has improved decision-making processes. (Author/RK)

Discusses a survey of newspaper editors that indicates that news value of unsuccessful political assassination attempts outweighs consideration of potential effects such coverage may have on antisocial behavior. (MH)

The question for school boards is no longer whether to become involved in politics, but how to stay alive in the political arena. Suggestions for staying alive are offered. (Author/IRT)

On April 7, 2005, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced a new policy for the assessment of students with disabilities under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). While details of the new policy have yet to be released, the National Center for Learning Disabilities has prepared this brief overview of several key issues related to the new policy.

This report summarizes requests submitted by states in 2005-06 to amend their educational accountability plans under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 as well as the related decisions of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This fourth installment of the Council of Chief State School Officers' (CCSSO's) annual review of changes to…

The role of researchers in the struggle for social justice was explored, focusing on some of the dilemmas faced by researchers doing solidarity work. Solidarity work is negotiating ways to combine different interests to make research findings useful and relevant to political aims. People doing solidarity work describe themselves as activity…

This paper reviews the research evidence on vouchers and considers the factors that make education vouchers a "live issue" in U.S. education policy. These factors can be articulated in terms of Levin's notions of freedom of choice, productive efficiency, equity, and social cohesion. It is possible to construct a reasonable case for…

During the last 30 years, the state of California has had a great obsession with determining appropriate preparation programs for public school administrators. In all reform cases, the alterations have come in the name of strong leadership, school improvement, quality leadership, and instructional leadership. Political posturing has been evident,…

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are among the most powerful interest groups in the nation, affecting the way public policy is made. They are the primary political opponents of all forms of privatization, and overwhelmingly support Democrat candidates for public office. Chapter 1 is an…

There is widespread consensus worldwide that improving the performance of education systems is necessary to advance socioeconomic development, reduce inequality, enhance economic competitiveness of nations, and possibly fortify governmental institutions. This paper explores the political conditions that may enhance or hinder the adoption of…

Discusses current concerns and criticisms relating to the leadership and policies of the National Institutes of Health. (JR)

The evidence used by historians to demonstrate how Jacksonian democracy has been misunderstood or misinterpreted is discussed. The inequalities of economic conditions and of opportunity which existed in the Jacksonian era are commented on. (Author/RM)