The Perkins Act greatly expands the tasks of state councils on vocational education. Their duties encompass three policy objectives: achieving public involvement in vocational education, providing independent assessment of vocational programs, and improving vocational education policies and the policymaking process. (SK)

The Perkins Act charges the National Council on Vocational Education with advising the president, Congress, and the secretary of education on the implementation of the Perkins and the Job Training Partnership Acts, strategies for business cooperation with vocational education, effective ways of providing labor market information, special needs…

Argues that human service organizations need to unite, to adopt a proactive, rather than reactive, stance toward the political process that produces social policy, and to build advocacy coalitions that influence this process. Suggests ways to form coalitions and conduct lobbying efforts. (Author/ABB)

Reviews policy development and research trends relating to work, welfare, and AFDC. Examines the persistence over time of the values of capitalism, liberalism, and positivism, which have resulted in the work ethic and influenced the AFDC. Outlines a research agenda to counter these influences. (Author/JAC)

The article reviews findings of studies on special education policy development in British Columbia which has permissive legislation regarding the education of the handicapped.Changes in the policy guidelines from 1979-83 are traced but legislative inactivity on the issue is criticized. (CL)

The article focuses on ways to determine the appropriate target for a request in advocacy efforts for gifted education. Following an overview of state education governance structure and interrelationships, the process of political mapping is outlined and ideas offered regarding use of the results to create an advocacy strategy. (CL)

Suggests that governments, employers, and trade unions develop structural employment policies that, in conjunction with appropriate macro-economic policies, might lead to a more acceptable labor market outlook for the years ahead. Flexibility of the labor market, dimensions of change, and changing industrial structures are addressed. (JN)

Reviews the process of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act for postsecondary education, beginning with hearings and program reviews. Discusses issues such as political considerations, program simplification, awarding excellence, and availability of information. Pressure groups and budget factors also influence the outcome of the legislative…

Presents the scientific views of Representative James W. Symington, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Technology. Includes discussion of (1) federal role in support of science and technology; (2) allocations for research and development; (3) support of basic research; and (4) public attitudes. (SL)

Explains how it is that the fruits of educational research and analysis, so insistently sought by Washington policy-makers, are so inefficiently used. Change will not occur in the manner originally envisioned: where a clear research result will quickly convert a set of coolly rational policy-makers. (Author/IRT)

Good resource management (and policy analysis) will enable us to reshape the accountability demands and questions of external forces such that both the questions and their answers can become meaningful. (Author/IRT)

Discusses the need for school board policies and provides an outline of typical categories that should be covered by policies. (IRT)