After a brief introduction offering three reasons people and institutions hesitate to commit themselves to a continuing process of "self-study-in-action," four types of administrative leadership activities are distinguished, those that: (1) respond to external emergencies/opportunities, (2) accomplish role-defined tasks, (3) define and…

These conference proceedings on policies and practices for environmental futures are organized in four main sections: plenary sessions; interest-group sessions; resolutions; and recommendations. Among the topic areas addressed during plenary sessions are environmental education (EE) for the 1980s, a television correspondent's perspective of the…

An analysis of rural population growth and its economic consequences in California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Vermont helps explain the changing conditions in rural America and indicates the direction policy should take. Despite their distance from financial centers and their low density, rural areas are generally characterized by a more…

The monograph presents the writing of suitable "follow-up" books for new adult readers in developing countries in the dual context of lifelong learning and of support for development by communication. It presents writing for new readers from the perspectives of high level policy makers, reading materials specialists in ministries and…

This is the report of a study that examined the relationship between the New York City school system and the external (social and political) environment of which the school system is a part. The study had two purposes: first, to determine the impact that external constituents of the school system have on internal policymaking and implementation;…

Drawing on data from a study of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, this report analyzes the technical assistance that local districts receive in compensatory education, with an emphasis on the relationship between technical assistance and the local decision-making that ultimately shapes the program. The first section describes…

The way in which science teachers use innovation and the implications for curriculum policy making are addressed in five articles. In "Classroom Knowledge and Curriculum Change: An Introduction," John Olson proposes a humanistic framework for curricular change. Rob Walker's "The School, the Community, and the Outsider: Case Study of…

A study was aimed at helping to define the information needs of persons who are directly involved in developing education policy at local and state levels. Five organizations interviewed for this project were: Education Commission of the States (Denver, Colorado); National Association of State Boards of Education (Washington, District of…

The impact of federal student financial aid policy on states and state responses to federal programs are assessed. After reviewing federal and state student aid during the past decade, the State Student Incentive Grant program (SSIG), is discussed, along with the effect of federal policy on SSIG. Perspectives of the state legislatures, governors,…

In Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Federal Government agrees to provide modest financial resources to aid the states in planning and developing comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated services for young children with handicaps and their families, and presents mandates for reforms in the service delivery system. This paper identifies the…

This long-range plan for higher education in New Mexico is designed as a guide for decision making rather than a plan for individual colleges. Introductory sections explain the development of the plan; planning principles and assumptions; conclusions about economic development, demography, and education in New Mexico; goals and priorities; and a…

This manual is intended to serve independent schools beginning strategic planning methods. Chapter 1, "The Case for Strategic Planning," suggests replacing the term "long range planning" with the term "strategic planning," which emphasizes change. The strategic planning and policy development process begins with…

This book deals with the processes of making decisions and deciding upon how various kinds of decisions are to be made in higher education. Two background chapters introduce the text, one covering the history of governance and one outlining various administrative theories. This section also discusses the reality of how institutions operate, which…

Four policy papers delineate a progressive family policy for the 1990s that makes the family central among social issues and children central in families. An extensive introduction delineates the split between leaders' and ordinary citizens' views on the family and provides a summary of the papers. The first paper offers an economic review of the…

In 1977, the Bernard van Leer Foundation began supporting a project in Colombia that had the objective of improving the quality of early childhood care and education in a small village. The Costa Atlantica project offered an approach to development that was based on community organization, social management, participation, cooperation, popular…