Governor Jerry Brown's January 2011 budget proposal suggests shifting responsibility and funding for many state programs from the state to the local level. Under this "realignment" of government authority, local governments--usually counties--would be given responsibility for providing the services in realigned programs, and the state…

Educational accountability is defined as "a condition of being accountable for the results . . . achieved in the elementary and secondary schools." Goals are basic to the accountability process. The effectiveness and efficiency of education are basically the responsibility of educators. The manner through which human and material resources are…

This article discusses Part H of Public Law 99-457, which requires that each state provide a free, appropriate public education to all eligible handicapped infants and toddlers. The discussion covers the 14 points required in a comprehensive statewide early intervention system, administrative responsibilities, the eligible population, service…

The major purpose of the Title V program, Designing Education for the Future, is to assist educators and lay citizens in the eight participating States in devising a program of educational improvement. This report by the project director presents information on educational changes covered by the program and builds a rationale for effecting these…

This report summarizes the proceedings of a technical assistance conference held for thirty vocational education representatives from ten states. The goal was the development of plans of action for increasing the involvement of business, industry, and labor in vocational education personnel development programs. Section 1 contains five conference…

In line with the current trend toward more diagnostic testing in the public schools, the State of Oklahoma has adopted a mandatory screening program for all kindergarten, first, and second grade students. This paper discusses the six-year development, norming, and implementation of the new 58 item, teacher administered and scored screening…

Institutional autonomy is a relative concept affected both by external constraints and by the attitudes and experience of those within the institution. The identity of an institution is the image established by the dynamics of its constituents and the freedom they exercise in establishing this identity determines its autonomy. In California,…

State-sponsored, tax-advantaged college savings programs (prepaid tuition plans, college savings trusts, and college savings bonds) have proliferated since 1994. This study, which examined 160 documents from 44 states, focuses on their effect on policy, and on the debate over public-versus-private responsibility to pay for higher education, as…

A study conducted in 1980 to examine the first year of the role and functions of Project Basic facilitators is described. Project Basic is Maryland's statewide competency-based educational program. The facilitators are state education agency (SEA) supported staff located at 23 of the state's 24 local education agencies (LEAs). The two major…

Provides the information currently available on the types of programs offered for prekindergartners and the children served by or through local and state education agencies. Examines types of preschool services offered, families being served, and the implications for the field of early childhood. Expresses concern about settings of unknown…

Described are characteristics of the school improvement planning and implementation efforts made in the 47 New York State schools that were identified as low-performing in 1985. This report identifies the aspects of the school improvement process which were completed, and offers recommendations concerning appropriate actions for all schools. Data…

This background briefing paper synthesizes current thinking and practice on the issue of latchkey children and school-age child care (SACC). The paper defines the problem of latchkey children; reviews related literature and programmatic responses to the problem; reports responses of four southern states; and points out implications for policy…

Educational philosophy and planning in the Delaware Department of Public Instruction must be conducive to broadly based adult and continuing education, especially for the large proportion of Delaware adults who are undereducated and disadvantaged. Local school district responsibility should include budgeting, staffing, promotion, and program…

In 1984, the Connecticut State Board of Education (CSBE) convened a study committee to: (1) establish a conceptual foundation supporting developmentally appropriate programs and services for 4-year-old children and their families; (2) assess existing services and identify served and unserved populations, providers of services, and gaps in…