U.S. educators and policymakers are concerned about the poor performance of the public schools, particularly schools that serve students from low-income families. Although education is primarily a state function, the federal government also has a longstanding interest in improving education for disadvantaged students, and it targets funding to…

Describes trends in the minimal competency movement in Florida and several other states and speculates about future trends in minimum-competency testing. (DD)

This report describes the Teacher Resource and Computer Training Center Program that was enacted in 1984 by the New York State Education Department to provide systematic, ongoing professional development services for the state's teachers. It is a collaborative program involving teachers, school administrators, higher education representatives,…

The development and progress of health education curricula for New York state public schools are discussed, and the need for further work and more collaboration among health educators is suggested. (CB)

The gifted education movement in California is traced, and the efforts of the California Association for Gifted (a parent group) to save the California gifted program are reviewed. It is pointed out that the strongest component of California's successes in developing gifted/talented education legislation has been parent support. (SW)

Describes the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Statewide Systemic Initiatives Program (SSIP) and its intent to improve math and science education at state levels. Discusses changes in the administration of the program, failures, and successes. (WRM)

Fossey's perspectives on legal issues faced by personnel in school districts are too generalized and fail to account for specific problems faced by individual districts and efforts made to cope with them. Illustrates the discussion with examples from the Miami-Dade County Public School System (Florida). (SLD)

An overview of the reasons for and basic elements of teacher evaluation programs, and a deeper look at one state's program in particular, are presented in this booklet. The first chapter discusses why teacher evaluations are useful, what processes for evaluation can be followed, how state and local policymakers can enhance the usefulness of…

The author looks at the legal responsibilities of small school districts in Washington state regarding the provision of programs for gifted students. Sections address a case study of a 14 year old child who was denied permission to remain in the gifted program located in her former residential district, legislation mandating the provision of…

In every state of the United States, efforts are under way to improve the way education is provided; however, no single reform strategy dominates. This document summarizes major statewide reforms under way in each of the 50 states. The impetus for reform, the driving agencies or institutions behind reform, as well as the intended results, vary…

Based on a study of how eight states have pursued educational reform, this booklet reviews new issues facing school finance as a result of the recent upsurge of interest in educational improvement. The booklet has four sections. The first section discusses changing state fiscal and political contexts within which reforms are being debated. Section…

Nearly every state is engaged in standards-based reform, as seen by the development of statewide academic goals and guidelines in core subjects and the subsequent new state tests that will measure students' progress toward achieving these goals. A Study Group on Statewide Assessment Systems formed by the National Association of State Boards of…

Provides information on initiating and planning poetry-in-the-schools programs, the problems normally encountered in developing such programs, and the benefits of the programs. Notes resources for learning about the work of poets in the schools. (JT)

This report contains analyses of key aspects of the scope, quality, and vitality of the Nation's science and engineering enterprise and global science and technology. The report presents information on science, mathematics, and engineering education at all levels; the scientific and engineering workforce; U.S. and international and development…

The Research in Teacher Education (RITE) study is currently examining in depth two selected state-mandated induction programs for beginning teachers. The sample includes 16 first year teachers (along with the teachers, administrators, and other educators selected to work with them) situated in 13 schools in 4 districts in 2 states. Data were…