This timely book will help policymakers and practitioners convert their visions of high-quality early education into on-the-ground reality by providing a much-needed, richly detailed look at how states can design, fund, and manage exemplary programs. The authors describe and analyze how four states--Michigan, West Virginia, Washington, and North…

Since the enactment of Public Law 94-142, school districts have struggled to hire and retain required special education personnel (i.e., special education teachers, school psychologists, and related service providers). Data show that shortages of these qualified personnel are even more magnified in rural school districts. Distance education can…

In at least 44 states across the country, students are logging in to learn at all times of the day and night--accessing courses they might otherwise be unable to take, interacting with students they might otherwise never know, and working with highly qualified teachers they otherwise could not access. In these and countless other ways, online…

This legislative report presents the findings of a 1986 telephone survey of states that have enacted state-funded pre-kindergarten early childhood education programs. The survey was designed to collect data related to the legislative authority, intent, and oversight of the early childhood education programs and to gain information on the…

The goal of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is to prepare all students for successful roles as workers, family members, citizens, and lifelong learners. To achieve this goal, this document identifies basic elements that are expected within all CTE programs. These elements are the basis for any instructional program to be approved for state…

Family, friend and neighbor care has frequently been characterized in the media, and even in the early care and education field, as "substandard, unregulated care," a "fall-back" position when parents can not find or afford a regulated setting. However, up until quite recently, there was virtually no research to support any…

An accountability system is proposed for the education system in Washington. Reform efforts in Washington have been designed to create a school-centered system in which state standards motivate teachers, parents, and principals to search for more effective ways to help students learn. Drawing on the experience of other states, recommendations are…

This report from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction responds to a directive from the Washington State Legislature to provide information on the progress of the development and field testing of minimum procedural standards and model evaluation programs for teachers. It contains a draft of the proposed minimum procedural standards for…

The manual was designed to help local education agencies in the state of Washington plan education programs for young handicapped children. Addressed in terms of goal, rationale, critical subcomponents, and evaluation procedures are eight components: administration, child find, educational programs, parent/family involvement, community…

This report, the first in a three-volume study evaluating federally-supported day care in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, contains a discussion of various issues related to the use of federal standards for day care services and presents four optional strategies for upgrading the quality of day care in the four states. Each strategy includes…

Three chapters set forth the regulations of the Washington State Board of Education that relate to teacher preparation and certification. General certification provisions incorporated in chapter WAC 180-75 include rules on: (1) equivalency of standards; (2) appeal procedures; (3) certificate revocation and notification of revocation; (4)…

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS ENGAGED IN REVISING THE STATE STANDARDS FOR TEACHER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REVISION WILL (1) ENCOURAGE HIGHER STANDARDS OF PREPARATION FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL SPECIALISTS, (2) INCREASE UTILIZATIONS OF THE GROWING KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING, (3)…

This newsletter reports on the activities of Equipped for the Future (EFF), which is a National Institute for Literacy initiative. EFF helps Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients build the skills needed to balance work and home and make a successful transition to work. The article "EFF Frames Family Literacy Programs"…

Describes the role and services of the paraprofessional school counselor aide. Notes personal and professional characteristics expected of counselor aides, suggests recruitment and selection techniques, and indicates services aides can provide. Lists benefits of in-service training for counselor aides and notes training program being planned by…

This guide was prepared to assist new health occupations teachers in the state of Washington to conduct their courses on the secondary level. The guide helps health care practitioners to answer such questions as: (1) What are health occupations and what kinds of programs are found in secondary education? (2) What kinds of regulations affect health…