The purpose of this article is to respond to the perspectives of Agran and colleagues concerning barriers to general education placement for students with significant support needs from an "on the ground" lens of participation in mediations and due process hearings, as well as conversations with parental inclusion advocates throughout…

The adoption of the Common Core State Standards by 46 states and the District of Columbia represents a dramatic departure in U.S. education. In the past, national efforts to improve education have been directed by the federal government and have emphasized resources or organizational structure. In contrast, the Common Core State Standards in math…

Evaluating the charge that federal regulation of education is "excessive" entails a political analysis of regulatory problems and of the relative cost efficiencies of providing equal educational opportunity, the goal of much federal regulation. The theoretical framework for this political explanation emphasizes the "implementation…

Although educational planning as it is now practiced has many shortcomings, if certain recommendations are followed, a more adequate profile of educational planning is possible. A number of criticisms of educational planning have been offered: It usually attempts to preserve the status quo; it is hierarchical in nature; it is preoccupied with the…

This document discusses measurement-driven instruction, necessary conditions for effective management, and effective program coordination in the context of the design, implementation, and coordination of future Follow Through programs. The discussion of measurement-driven instruction addresses several issues, including selection of objectives,…

This paper focuses on the National Sex Equity Demonstration Project, a joint effort of the University of Miami and the Broward County School Board funded by the Women's Educational Equity Act Program. The author concludes that the project made a modest, but important, contribution to the definition of educational equity. (Author/DWH)

Holds that problems of implementation have resulted in the failure of large-scale intervention efforts to deal with cognitive deficits. Emphasizes technological, political, and cultural perspectives in innovation. Examines related models and programs in the United States and developing countries and shows that minimal requirements for their…

Starting from the debate over the utility, or possibility, of educational planning, the author covers its theory and practice, concepts of educational reform, and philosophies of education. He first summarizes various critics' arguments against educational planning and then, using evidence from 95 nations' educational plans and 12 UNESCO regional…

Asserts that the "Brown" decision did little to redress the racism that keeps Blacks from obtaining equal education. Outlines strategies that the Black community might develop in order to achieve educational goals. (GC)

Out-of-level testing in state and district assessments is becoming more popular under the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This practice (and use of different norm-referenced tests) confounds interdistrict comparisons and contributes to inequitable assessment practices. Proper scaling can remedy this situation. (MLH)

The efforts of federal agencies (in particular, the Office of Special Education and the Office of Civil Rights) to monitor, enforce, and assist local agencies do not go far enough or look deeply enough to fully address the problems in assuring equal educational opportunities for handicapped children. Schools and state and local governments do not…

With the advent of the computer revolution, major changes are underway in the ways campuses deal with computing and computers. One change is the gathering momentum of faculty members and administrators to become computer users. Another is the vast amount of individual and institutional effort invested in plans for integrating computing into the…

This policy brief discusses legislative efforts to create separate, alternative schools for students with behavior problems. The first section of the brief identifies the following three problems with placing disruptive students in alternative schools: (1) a focus on problem students may obscure or ignore real problems in the educational system;…

There has been much recent debate in both educational and political circles about the utility of choice as a means of improving the educational system. This book argues that any discussion of choice must address choice in public schools. The book is organized into seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of choice in public education,…

Examines implications of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142). Delineates areas of conflict that might arise when the law is implemented at the school district level and proposes a strategy for developing future Federal educational policy in such a way as to reduce conflict and enhance implementation. (Author/GC)