Goal 5 of "The Illinois Commitment," strategic plan for higher education in Illinois, stipulates that by 2004, all academic programs will systematically assess student learning and use assessment results to improve programs. This paper provides the history and context for the systematic assessment of student learning, including…

The Executive Committee and the Subcommittee on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention were charged to develop and provide leadership to implement a state plan to reduce adolescent pregnancy in Wisconsin. Both the negative outcomes for adolescent parents and their children and the cost to society are at issue. This document serves as a first step to…

Recent expansions in Medicaid coverage for children and state health insurance programs for children mean that the majority of low-income children in the United States now are eligible for health insurance. A new analysis of Census data, presented in this report, finds that 94% of all uninsured children with family incomes below twice the poverty…

The success of standards-based education systems depends on two elements: strong standards and assessments that measure what the standards expect. States that have, or adopt, test-based accountability programs claim that their tests are aligned to their standards. But there has been, up to now, no independent methodology for checking alignment.…

This study was conducted to investigate whether state departments of education still issue a certificate for the role of school supervisor, and, if so, to determine the nature of those certificates. The research will be useful in the debate about whether instructional supervisors should be eliminated. The primary sources of data were the…

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has collaborated with education leaders from colleges, universities, and elementary- and secondary-education institutions, business and industry leaders, and members of the state government to develop a strategic plan for higher education for Virginia. The plan acknowledges the enrollment…

This paper provides, in summary form, a discussion of the central issues arising from an examination of State Accountability Workbooks prepared for Peer Reviews through the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and subsequent approval discussions made by ED. These issues have their genesis in requirements set forth under the No Child Left Behind Act…

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. To implement necessary changes, Family to Family sites have designed and tested an approach called…

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. This paper describes some of the ways natural helpers can assist professionals achieve the necessary…

Describes a Florida childrens theater group led by Dr. Moses Goldberg that specializes in improvisational theater with dialogue that motivates children into taking an active and imaginative part in the play. (Author/GB)

Reviewed are accomplishments, problems, and frustrations faced by individual states in meeting requirements of P.L. 92-500, Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. State Environmental officials complain the new law may be a hindrance to established cleanup programs. Statistics and charts are given. (BL)

Excerpts from the report to the New Jersey State Board of Education by the committee of school superintendents, principals, guidance personnel, and State Department of Education staff members. (GB)

The author concludes that future patterns of higher education are being molded by state planners whose analyses do not reflect sufficient concern for students as interacting human beings. If allowed to continue in its present form statewide planning will ultimately undermine the quality of higher education. (Author)

Priorities and procedures for making California schools fiscally and educationally accountable. (RA)