Many welfare programs give greater benefits to unmarried individuals than to a married couple of otherwise identical income. The resulting marriage penalty discourages marriage and rewards single parenthood. Combined marriage penalties across federal and state welfare programs can reach tens of thousands of dollars per year for a given family. One…

Conference proceedings are summarized from a 1979 national conference on regulations for Title VII of the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities of 1978 (P.L. 95-602) which provides for a three part program in independent living for disabled persons. Conference participants represented a wide variety of…

The recent overhaul of the federal welfare system gives states new flexibility to set child care policies, develop child care programs, and fund new initiatives. The Child Care Action Campaign (CCAC) conducted an audioconference on July 31, 1997, to examine key elements of new state plans and to take a close look at how one state, Illinois, made…

This study identified various direct and indirect strategies for financing supported employment, based on discussions with individuals in Minnesota and across the United States, reviewed supported employment efforts in selected states, conducted a review of literature, and explored related initiatives in other health and human service areas. Key…

Survey results from 48 state agencies for the blind provide statistical data on independent living programs for the elderly and multiply impaired blind. Conclusions are presented regarding the growth of the older blind population and the consequent policy issues, independent living service components, and need for additional resources. (JDD)

This report examines possible steps the State of Illinois might take to expand the availability of Medicaid support for services to persons with developmental disabilties. Stressed throughout are the importance of: (1) evaluating whether any given application of Medicaid funding is consistent with the State's goals for persons with developmental…

The care and education of the youngest children in the United States has become a critical public policy issue affecting millions of families. This guide closely examines the issues and tradeoffs in key child care policy decisions that face state legislators. The guide provides a discussion of state efforts to build supply, improve quality, and…

Briefly reviews the concept of multitype library networking and past attempts at large scale library cooperation, and describes the events that led to the establishment of the California Library Networking Task Force. The three stages anticipated in network development--services, structure, and funding and transition--are outlined, and the current…

The author considers the state of the art in gifted education. Initial sections present opinions of a panel of 150 professionals regarding state administered programs, state discretionary programs, professional development proposals, the nature of learning, exploitation of children, program documentation, and model project proposals. Six issues…

This technical report describes the development of "Finetuning Special Education Finance: A Guide for State Policymakers." The report's introductory section notes the need for information on special education finance. Section 2 describes how these needs were identified--through a national survey of 118 persons knowledgeable about state…

Despite the persistent possibility that foreign languages and international studies may become lost in the current federal policy of fiscal restraint, the immediate public policy context for these areas is guardedly optimistic. Recent years have produced increased media attention, growing public support, and professional unity and organization.…

To assist state policy makers concerning elementary and secondary special education, this handbook assembles information on what states have experienced and what research has found about special education funding, cost and service changes, and funding source management. Chapter 1 considers defining student eligibility for special education,…

Presented are the results of the sixth annual tabular survey of programs in operation or approved for state support of private higher education in the 50 states. As a result of the growth of such programs in the six survey years, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) formed a task force to look carefully at the issue of public support for…

Discusses the development of computing networks for elementary and secondary schools in Virginia and Texas. Highlights include establishing a statewide infrastructure; Internet access; distributed computing; instructional resources; the changing role of State Departments of Education; teacher training and support; and policy issues, including…

The 1988 state plan for child day care covered in this document focuses on recommendations for a state office for child day care, increased funding for the child care subsidy program, and a pilot voucher system. The plan is based primarily on outcomes of the 1987 Governor's Conference, Child Care: Everybody's Business. The goals of the 1988 plan…