An increasing number of states are requiring teacher performance, as measured by evaluations, be considered when districts are conducting layoffs or reductions in force, according to a 50-state policy review by the Education Commission of the States (ECS). ECS reviewed reduction-in-force policies in 2012 and recently created an online database,…

A major challenge currently facing Pennsylvania music educators (and many music educators across the country) is change to the evaluation process of teachers in Non-Tested Grades and Subjects (NTGS). The law directing this change is known as Act 82 and comes from the Pennsylvania legislature, authorized through House Bill 1901. The Pennsylvania…

This report provides the Nebraska Legislature with comparative statistics to monitor and evaluate progress toward achieving "three key priorities" for Nebraska's postsecondary education system: (1) Increase the number of students who enter postsecondary education in Nebraska; (2) Increase the percentage of students who enroll and…

Increasing the participation of minority groups at public colleges and universities is a longstanding goal of the Board of Governors for Higher Education, as first outlined in its 1983 "Strategic Plan to Ensure Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Connecticut Public Higher Education". The minority groups defined by the plan are:…

Discusses the adoption laws and procedures of Lagos State, Nigeria, and presents a demographic profile of the 236 adoptions that have taken place since the enactment of the current law in 1972. Because of the dearth of information on adoption in Nigeria, it is suggested that research on adoption should be pursued with the utmost vigor. (MDM)

This document is designed to fill major information voids in the field of adoption and to provide prospective adoptive parents with reliable data on which to base decisions. The factbook contains four major types of new information: (1) a frank discussion of the issues concerning adoption -- including costs; tax regulations; transracial adoption;…

The document presents the 1977 annual report on child abuse as required by Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law of 1975 (Act 124). Following an introductory section is a section summarizing Act 124, which is designed to facilitate the identification of and service provision to cases of child abuse. Section III outlines activities of the…

The document presents the 1978 annual report on child abuse as required by Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law of 1975 (Act 124). Following answers to 11 common questions, an introductory section examines the nature and scope of the problem and Pennsylvania's response in Act 124. The Department of Public Welfare activities are reported…

This report is based on information collected from state revenue departments, budget offices, and legislative staff on tax revenue during the 3-month period from October to December 2000 compared with the same period in 1999. Comparing tax revenue between the two periods produced the following results: the slowest growth in 7 years (4 percent), a…

This report provides statistics on numbers of students in Ohio identified as gifted; examines the effect of a 1999 state law standardizing the identification of gifted students; identifies factors that influence the proportion of students that districts identify as gifted; compares the identification of gifted students in Ohio with other states;…

State legislation launched the California Partnership Academies (CPAs) in 1984. Now operating in more than 200 comprehensive high schools, CPAs have been used as a model for high school reform in California and elsewhere. Academies typically feature multi-age learning groups, team teaching and career-based instruction. Teachers help students…

This report describes the activities of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) during the 1995-96 fiscal year. It provides an overview of student and parent financial aid programs, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the largest state grant program in the United States. Major advances reported for 1995-96…

This report discusses the impact on elementary and secondary education in New York State and New York City of: (1) a New York Court of Appeals decision to grant State Legislature control over Federal funds received by the State; and (2) passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act providing block education grants to States. The report provides…

Public library construction in North Dakota, MINITEX (Minnesota Interlibrary Telecommunications Exchange) service, state library use and service patterns, the state library collection, and the state library staff are covered in this report. Two tables contain the North Dakota Network for Knowledge fiscal report for 1974 and 1975. In addition,…

This insert to the Maryland State Board's regular newsletter, "Record," takes the place of an annual report. Its contents include an overview of higher education in the state, progress of the state plan, financing of higher education, equal educational opportunity efforts, accreditation, board responses to legislative recommendations in…