This article traces the state takeover and neoliberal reconstruction of a mid-size urban school district in the California Bay Area. Aligning with research on social networks in school reform, it identifies three organizational nodes of power operating within the takeover and post-takeover landscape: venture-philanthropic capital, the Teach for…

Although state takeover of low-performing schools is not a new phenomenon in American education, it has seldom been exercised. Takeover actions exist in 11 states--Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia--but only New Jersey and Kentucky have exercised steps leading to…

A federal system is better than one that is totally nationalized or left totally in the hands of the states and their districts. The principle undergirding that system is appropriateness. Responsibilities most appropriately handled at the state level ought to rest at that level. Responsibilities best met by the resources and reach of the national…

Does the Constitution protect parents' right to pass their values along to their children? Author argues that it does, basing his contention on the language and the history of Pierce v. Society of Sisters, the landmark decision that guaranteed private schools' right to do business. (Editor/RK)

Chapter 3

Proposed federal public employee bargaining legislation raises the issue of preemption. To what extent, if any, would and/or should federal legislation providing bargaining rights for state and local public employees preempt state legislation on terms and conditions of employment? The purpose of this analysis is to illustrate the importance of the…

South Carolina's Educator Improvement Act provides for a "cradle-to-grave" system of training, certification, employment, and evaluation of teachers. The author fears this type of legislation is the precursor of a nationwide shift in the locus of policy making. (Author/WD)

The purpose of this study was (1) to portray the historical periods of the Newbury, Vermont, school system; (2) to note the growth of the district schools between 1763 and 1832; and (3) to determine what role the state played between 1777 and 1807 in the development of the Newbury school system. In terms of school governance and organization, five…

Examines the present status of curriculum laws, the constitutional rights of those who oppose curriculum laws, and the possible impact of reduced local property taxes on state-mandated curricula. Available from Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR 97301. (Author/IRT)

Legislative and political issues are examined in this study of the forces governing the structure of control shared by the individual institutions of the California community college system (CCC) and various state agencies. The report first summarizes and compares the findings of three earlier studies of the college-state relationship: (1) William…

The impact of recent technological, social, and economic change has necessitated a re-examination of educational structure, and has resulted in school district reorganization projects in many states. The purposes of this paper are to review the various legislative techniques employed by 33 states in their attempts to merge or reorganize school…

This booklet lists the laws that relate to Nebraska social studies. The volume is intended for administrators, teachers, and curriculum planners to assist them to do a more thorough job of planning social studies programs. The Nebraska Social Studies Statutes are designed to be a primary tool in developing a district's curriculum, as they speak to…

This report states the positions and goals of the Council of Chief State School Officers relative to State-federal relationships. The report covers (1) the need for cooperative efforts in State-federal relationships, (2) the establishment of national goals and priorities, (3) the administration and services of the Office of Education, (4) the…

This book is composed of six separate but interrelated chapters. The first presents a historical view of education through an exposition of four propositions: (1) success produces problems, (2) historically, people have supported schools because it was in their self-interest, (3) the schools' success and the serving of the public's self-interest…

This guide to early intervention services under Part H of Public Law 101-476 (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is intended to aid state legislators who have the primary responsibility to create and shape programs under this Act. Three aspects of Part H legislation are stressed: (1) requirement of unprecedented coordination among…