The Politics of Education: Conflict and Consensus on Capitol Hill

As a former member of Congress and currently as president of New York University, Brademas has a unique perspective on our nation's educational scene. In a synthesis of public lectures and stated positions, he here explores federal support for education. As lawmaker he was responsible for significant education legislation; as university president his concern is for NYU's 46,000 students. He shows that the shaping of public policy is a tortuous procedure, requiring adeptness in the mazes of the committee process. He discusses the imperiled and challenged situation of education on all levels, addresses both legitimate criticism and damaging rhetoric, all in the framework of his life as a public servant and scholar whose leitmotif has been public education. A thoughtful analysis of a political agenda with behind-the-scenes personalizing. (May)