According to Scribner and Layton (1995), increasing interest in education policy over the past few decades has "politicized policy-oriented research in the field" (p. 118). The responsibility of those who shape public policy is to broaden the range of potential responses to issues and deepen society's understanding of itself. As Scribner and Layton (1995) assert, despite this responsibility the "proliferation of 'think tanks' in recent years illustrates how political resources influence what can be studied and how public opinion can be influenced and manipulated by deliberately slanted research" (p. 118). The Citizens' Committee for Children (CCC) of New York is a "think tank" whose stated mission and purpose are to "Provide a voice for children who have no voice, especially low-income children and children with special needs and ensures that every child is healthy, housed, educated and safe today" (Charity, 2008, p. 1). Therefore, the organization's main issues of research revolve around child health, housing, education, and safety.
The general issues CCC deals with include educational efforts. According to the organization, of New York City's 1.9 million children and teenagers, only 60% graduate from high school on time (Citizens, 2008). The CCC provides outreach to New Yorkers in all five boroughs through public education campaigns, policy reports and briefings, leadership courses for youth and adults, and e-advocacy (Citizens, 2008). Independent of government funding, the CCC formulates policy recommendations and lobbies New York legislators for educational change. According to CCC research, 49% of all elementary and middle school students read below State and City standards every day (Citizens, 2008).
A "think tank" like CCC is defined as a "policy institute or organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy across diverse issues" (Think, 2008, p. 1). Some criticize think tank...