2022 turned out to be a dynamic year for charter schools, as many state lawmakers recognized the fact parents want more schooling options that fit their children's unique needs. In total, close to 50% of states with charter school laws gained at least one legislative win. Read for more details on how the charter school movement strengthened in the…

Over the years, as states have sought to incorporate more inclusive and relevant academic standards and curriculum for K-12 students, they have interpreted ethnic studies in both broad and narrow terms. While most states use the term ethnic studies to describe their efforts to incorporate the knowledge and perspectives of traditionally excluded…

Forty-two states and the District of Columbia have enacted charter school legislation. The Education Commission of the States (ECS) analysts reviewed laws in the 50 states in creating an online database that highlights how state charter school laws vary, particularly in how states establish standards and accountability for charter school…

All public school children are entitled to quality public educational facilities--including those who attend public charter schools. Yet charter school leaders often spend substantial time and money searching for a facility. When they find one, they encounter significant costs associated with leasing or purchasing the building. They may have to…

There is broad agreement that teacher quality is related to student achievement, but there is far less agreement about the degree to which school districts and administrators are constrained in making policies to improve teacher quality that might also affect teacher employment and working conditions. Conventional wisdom holds that state law and…

As Internet-based communications and interactions by and between students and school staff become more prevalent, an appreciation of school rules for student behavior is important. Students carry electronic devices, sending and receiving communications inside and outside school, so two key questions exist regarding search and seizure of such…

This study provides an historical analysis of the Chicago Public School Desegregation Consent Decree, while illustrating its relationship with the "Brown v. Board" of 1954. It provides an analysis of the mission and objectives of all three versions of the Consent Decree which include: The Original Consent Decree 1980, The Modified…

When courts engage in educational policymaking through what is called "public law litigation," they set foot in unsettled territory. Framing the authors' work in legal studies literature, this article relays how one court engaged in a sweeping reform of special education in Chicago and teacher certification in the entire state of…

This survey provides answers to general questions regarding statutes and case law with respect to schools in force as of January 1, 2002, and administrative rules in effect as of March 30, 2001. It generally excludes, however, laws that are unique to Chicago Public School District 299. The book contains 27 chapters covering the following broad…

A statewide survey of special education directors revealed that director of special education preparation programs should be time limited and offered in convenient locations to recruit the best possible pool of students and future directors. Current directors have come to their positions through numerous and diverse career paths. The lack of…

AN ANALYSIS WAS MADE OF THE DETERMINANTS OF LARGE CITY EDUCATIONAL FISCAL POLICY. A WIDE RANGE OF PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WERE PRESENTED WHICH EVOLVED FROM THE METROPOLITAN CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH LARGE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS OPERATE. THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE FORM OF SCHOOL GOVERNMENT IN LARGE CENTRAL CITIES WAS A RELATIVELY UNIMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE…

Since the Supreme Court's Goss v. Lopez decision of 1975, both the number of students suspended and the number of suspensions successfully challenged in courts have increased. A survey of Illinois high school disciplinarians suggest that their level of recognition of substantive due process, as measured by the standards of Fundamental Fairness and…

This text consists of numerous statutes selected by the Illinois Association of School Boards' staff for their relevance to public school governance and administration. The publication covers legislation enacted as of January 1, 1998, and includes a myriad of education-related topics. The bulk of the text focuses on schools themselves, featuring…

School-related statutes and applicable court decisions in Illinois are presented in a question/answer format followed by legal citations. The following topics are discussed in 27 chapters: (1) Control of Illinois Public Schools; (2) School Boards; (3) School Board Membership; (4) School Election Procedures; (5) School Board Officers; (6) School…

In accordance with Illinois state legislation passed in 1975, this pamphlet provides guidelines for the development of school policies that reflect sex equity. The guide provides definitions of relevant terms as well as standards for administrative policies, admissions, employment, programming, classroom practices, extracurricular activities, and…