Over the last two years, seven states have enacted new universal education savings account (ESA) programs or have expanded existing programs to universal or near-universal eligibility. Parental-choice advocates, who have labored for decades to make incremental inroads toward achieving greater educational freedom for families. However, the authors…

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are becoming increasingly important participants in educational programmes and implementing education policy. This study explores governmental policymakers' perceptions and reactions to NGO involvement in the implementation of education policy. We applied a qualitative research method, conducting in-depth…

Background: Asthma has no known cure, and though manageable, it disrupts the everyday lives of over 6 million US children. Because children spend more than half of their waking hours in school, students must be able to carry and administer their inhaler at school to manage their asthma. Methods: This policy paper is a comprehensive review of all…

This article examines the development and implementation of P-16 education reform in Texas and aims to understand leadership meaning-making at state and local levels. Findings suggest goal attainment and sustainability varied statewide according to how political actors defined problems and solutions, the type of and extent to which human and…

The introduction of assessment orientated policy in 2016 marks a significant change in Scottish education as it will establish standardised national testing. Teachers in Gaelic medium education are well placed to offer insights as they have had considerable autonomy regarding assessment and this paper is the first to consider the impact of this…

This article provides an overview of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and students with disabilities. Current interpretations of DNR orders from several states are presented. It is concluded that there is not clear agreement among states as to the procedures or persons responsible for addressing DNR concerns for students in school. (Contains…

Examines the significance of leadership in policy-making, using the metaphorical framework of the body, its inherent dependence on the heart for life, and its requirement of a soul for virtuous direction. Ethical leadership, the heart and soul of policy-making, is desirable in all arenas. Striving for an ethical leadership ideal in a shared…

The major difficulty facing the institutionalization of shared responsibility in the Catholic Church, with reference to education, is a lack of awareness that various kinds of decisions must be made, various functions must be performed, and various structures should be established to carry out these functions. The general and comprehensive nature…

This paper provides an overview of legal responsibilities of school districts relating to "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) orders for children who are medically fragile. It addresses the incidence of school children who are medically fragile and differences in state laws that affect DNR orders. Attitudes that are preventing school districts…

In this discussion of teacher empowerment, areas related to teacher sense of impact or efficacy are examined. These areas include: (1) administrative support; (2) responsibility for meaningful tasks; (3) control/decision making related to curriculum; (4) decisions on teaching assignments; (5) input on policies and procedures; and (6) choice in and…

This paper discusses the legal and ethical questions surrounding "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) orders in the school environment. It begins by reviewing federal and state case law that addresses the appropriateness of medical services and the responsibility of schools in terms of provision of medical services. The review finds that when…

Before electing to utilize metal-detection devices for random weapons searches of students, school districts should be prepared for the possibility of having to litigate the legality of their policies. Reviews the limited case law on the subject, and offers recommendations to districts that decide to proceed with the development of such a policy.…

After defining numerous terms related to physical and mental child abuse and neglect and presenting information on the prevalence and causes of abuse, this document explains areas of immediate concern for schools: (1) identification; (2) communicating with the student about possible abuse; (3) reporting suspected abuse; (4) assisting the abused…

Factors to be incorporated into school district policy as a way of improving pedagogical approaches are addressed by a former U.S. Commissioner of Education. Focus is on in-service training or staff development, with recommendations for states, school systems, and schools themselves. (LB)

This paper provides school districts with information about determining the need for and providing assistive technology services and devices to children and youth with disabilities. Determinations about the needs of students are made on a case by case basis through the development of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Once the IEP…