As an example, the new federal handicapped children bill will require "millions of person-hours and dollars . . .just to develop the procedures, personnel systems, and forms to implement the law," he says.
To stop "the federal takeover" he suggests:
1. Educators and board members should request state governors to protest against proliferating reports.
2. State and local leaders should reward congressmen who fought against detailed specifications on how to operate new federal programs.
3. Further program consolidation should be sought.
4. States should either refuse to comply with reports whose merit is questionable or refuse the federal money.
5. States should fund such agencies as the Educational Commission of the States so that they can "search for genuine state options to a federal system."
6. Citizens should press harder for state and local resolution of such problems as sex discrimination, etc., to make federal initiatives unnecessary.
7. Local and state foundations should stimulate constructive proposals that are not on the federal agenda.
8. Universities should initiate centers for the development of state education policy to help states prepare their own solutions to problems.
28/ December 1976/ Illinois Issues