RELEASE ON RECEIPT



                      U.VA. GAINS APPROVAL TO OFFER NEW MAJOR
                            IN EDUCATIONAL POLICY STUDIES

               CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Oct. 16 -- In recognition of the growing 
need for people with expertise in understanding and analyzing today's complex 
social problems from an educational perspective, the University of Virginia's 
Curry School of Education is implementing a new program in educational policy 
studies.
             Education policy research and analysis focusing on the 
well-being of youth, families and schools is a field experiencing rapid 
growth, according to Carol Camp Yeakey, professor of education at U.Va.'s 
Curry School.
             "The professional job market demonstrates a compelling need for 
people professionally trained to bridge education, the social sciences and 
social policy making; for people who will teach and carry out research in 
academic and non-academic settings; and, for people who will occupy strategic 
positions in government and non-government agencies where they will shape and 
influence policies directed toward education at local, state and national 
levels," Yeakey said.  
             The program gained approval from the State Council of Higher 
Education in Virginia this summer.  It offers a master of education and a 
doctorate of philosophy degrees.
             "What makes the program unique is its interdisciplinary offerings 
encompassing the study of education policy and practice from the perspectives 
of education, government, economics, sociology, history and law," 
Yeakey said.  "The program provides an integrated pre-through post 
secondary-schooling emphasis related to the social welfare of youth, families 
and schools.
             With classroom, research, and field-based components, the 
program offers internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., and Richmond  
metropolitan areas.  In keeping with the trend toward globalization, the 
program provides opportunities for international and comparative research.  
It also focuses on quantitative and qualitative methodology.
             "Since there are no established or approved programs in 
educational policy studies at other Virginia universities with the Curry 
School's particular focus, the University is in  a unique position to play a 
leadership role in the discussion of key educational policy issues," 
Yeakey said.

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                                                          October 15, 1997                                             

          For more information, contact Carol Camp Yeakey at (804) 924-3264.  
Television reporters should call our TV News Office at (804) 924-7550