The potential of social indicators: Minimum conditions for impact at the national level as suggested by a study of the use of ‘social indicators’ 73

Empirical evidence is presented which suggests that the use of social indicators among upper level government officials in the United States is minimal at present. Further, the level of use is not likely to be increased by improved measurement procedures, aesthetically improved packaging, or more widespread dissemination of such information among persons who influence policy decisions. The power of such information can be expected to be no greater than that of ‘mere’ statistics unless deliberate effort is made to institutionalize the importance of social indicators into government operations in conjunction with policy planning, goal setting, and commitment to the use of indicators as a system of national evaluation of progress toward the achievement of societal objectives. Several recommendations are made to develop the potential of social indicators and to increase their creative and useful application in matters of public policy at the national level.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43692/1/11205_2004_Article_BF00352942.pd

Problems of education in the United States,

"This monograph supplements and in some respects extends the report on educational trends which is chapter VII of volume I of Recent social trends in the United States."--Introd."Published under the direction of the President's Research Committee on Social Trends."--Foreword by the Committee.Mode of access: Internet

Recent social trends in the United States; report of the President's research committee on social trends;

Wesley C. Mitchell, chairman.Paged continuously.Mode of access: Internet

Report to the President's research committee on social trends on social statistics in the United States.

Vol. I. Next steps in the development of social statistics, by S. A. Rice and collaborators.--vol. II. A guide to the statistics of social trends in the United States, by Florence Du Bois.--vol. III. Guides to vital statistics in the United States, by Joseph V. De Porte.--vol. IV. A guide to statistical series relating to wages in the United States, by Meredith B. Givens and Ernestine Wilke.Mode of access: Internet

Races and ethnic groups in American life,

"Published under the direction of the President's research committee on social trends."--Foreword.Mode of access: Internet

Unions and Foundations as Public Policy Actors

Unlikely as it seems, labor unions and foundations have been involved in the same policy issues-as actors, affected parties, or both. Virtually no research has been done on connections between these institutions. This paper briefly reviews and illustrates their roles in public policy. Two detailed case studies are presented. In the case of recent public school reform efforts in Chicago, a few foundations supported reform elements before favorable legislation was passed in 1988. Afterward, foundation engagement expanded dramatically, including an unprecedented $1 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation to the Chicago Teachers Union. In the second case, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), some foundations backed a spectrum of opponents, while others supported research that favored passage. One major foundation withheld any NAFTA-related grants until the issue was settled. Growing diversity in foundations and organized labor suggests they may find more common ground in the future. Copyright 1995 by The Policy Studies Organization.