This report discusses findings of a study that investigated the resolution of disputes in the field of special education. Information was collected from ten states (Alabama, California, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming) on their current dispute resolution systems and from two additional states…

This Action Plan has been developed to ensure the success of the Arkansas Smart Step Initiative, the part of the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) that focuses on grades 5 through 8. As do other aspects of the ACTAAP, the Smart Start Initiative has four components, each of which is described here: (1)…

At the administration of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) science and social studies tests in 2000, a questionnaire survey was given to students in grades 4 and 6. Survey questions were developed in three categories: (1) Opportunity To Learn; (2) Science; and (3) Social Studies. Student responses were analyzed by test, grade, gender,…

This paper describes the development work and research findings of an initiative to create a statewide literacy assessment in New York to inform teaching and learning and report on group performance trends. The Early Literacy Profile (ELP) is a classroom-based, standards-referenced performance assessment for students in the primary grades…

The Assistive Technology Program for Oklahoma Public Schools was developed to assist Oklahoma public schools in meeting the challenges of assistive technology service delivery as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The program is a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma State Department of Education's Special…

This is the year-end evaluation for fiscal year 1998 of the Connecticut Statewide Systemic Initiative (SSI), known as Project CONNSTRUCT. The Connecticut Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science, and Technology is the fiscal agent for the SSI grant from the National Science Foundation. Data collection methods for this evaluation included…

Three guides provide sample problems like the ones students would solve on the Colorado Student Assessment Program tests. For each question, the pertinent Colorado state standard is identified. The ninth grade guide contains questions in reading, writing and mathematics; the guide to the 10th grade examination also contains questions related to…

The state of Maine has made a commitment to expand current programs for families with young children to ensure that the state is doing all that it can to help children reach their highest potential. This document is comprised of the June 1998 report of a Maine task force to study strategies to support parents as children's first teachers and the…

This document is intended to serve as an easy-to-use reference to the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998. The document begins with an historical overview of vocational education policy and legislation for the years 1917-1998. Presented next is an analysis of the differences between the 1990 and 1998 Perkins acts. The…

The Florida Writing Assessment was implemented in grades 4, 8, and 10 in 1998 as required by the Florida legislature. The assessment is designed to measure students' proficiency in writing responses to assigned topics within a designated testing period. This report contains writing assessment results for the whole state, school districts, and…

Florida's High School Competency Test (HSCT) is a multiple-choice test of the application of basic academic skills to everyday life situations. The test is divided into mathematics and communications sections, with the communications section including skills in reading and writing. Passing the HSCT is a high school graduation requirement. This…

In 1999,the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) was administered to students in grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 to assess student achievement of the Sunshine State Standards in reading and mathematics as mandated by the Florida legislature. This report informs administrators, legislators, and the general public about the reading and mathematics…

In 1999, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) was administered to students in grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 to assess student achievement of the Sunshine State Standards in reading and mathematics as mandated by the Florida legislature. This report informs administrators, legislators, and the general public about the reading and mathematics…

The 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) included provisions specifying that states and districts must include students with disabilities in their assessment systems with reasonable accommodations, that states report on the performance of students with disabilities with the same detail and frequency they report on…

The University of Akron (OH), through its affiliation with OhioLINK, has implemented University Microfilms International's (UMI) PowerPages, a full-text electronic document delivery tool, throughout its library system. This article describes OhioLINK, PowerPages, and the University of Akron's experience with the service. Discusses the benefits and…