This article comments on recommended changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) included in "Perspectives on the Future of the IDEA" (Hardman and others). It is argued that we have ignored and trivialized important legal requirements already in IDEA, and that the current IDEA has served us well. (CR)

This commentary discusses the underlying constitutional principles in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Equal protection and equal access for children with disabilities, procedural due process and empowerment, substantive due process and self-determination, least restrictive environment and the continuum, and policy…

This article describes a Braille refresher course for Florida teachers that was created in response to concerns about Braille literacy reflected in "Braille bills" in many states. Analysis of pre- and post-test data showed that the 77 teachers improved their Braille skills and reported a high level of confidence in their Braille skills as a result…

This study examined the content and characteristics of state departments of education position or policy statements on inclusion for 17 state education agencies. Analysis revealed that such policy/position statements usually address the meaning of the term "inclusion," the philosophy of inclusion, laws and court decisions pertaining to inclusion,…

Mixed messages--a legislature intending to repair school finance system inequities and a governor claiming the problem is "fixed" by a $100 million construction grant--characterized the beginning of Arizona's 1997 legislative session. Charter schools, school-based management, vouchers, and property-tax reforms are also discussed. (MLH)

School violence has been linked to youth not recognizing the finality of death, extreme violence portrayed in the media, availability of guns, student reluctance to "tell," and lack of curriculum that teaches children anger management and problem-solving skills. Recommendations include making prevention programs a priority and…

Analyzes the issues and implications in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998, including the framework of federal student aid it establishes, the reduced federal influence on academic affairs and accreditation, increased regulatory flexibility and reduced administrative burden on institutions, and increased eligibility of distance-education…

Traces history of educating marginalized youth in Brazil and examines recent government efforts addressing this goal. Describes and analyzes three models of educating Brazilian "street children" (grassroots, activist state, and partnership between the two) using case studies. Advocates collaborative partnership between state and…

Examined current regulations for Family Child Care Homes in the United States and the extent to which the regulations changed between 1981 and 1998. Found progress in number of states with some regulations for large and small facilities, but also an increase in percentage of states that allow exemptions from regulation. (SD)

Describes the teacher's role as basic to the struggle for educational equity and achievement, noting the importance of preservice preparation. Examines how anti-immigrant legislation affects teacher preparation by forcing teachers to passively emphasize standardized approaches to addressing English learners' complex needs. Shares attempts to…

Current educational reform efforts in Arizona involve three major federal and state language and assessment policies: (a) AZ LEARNS (2001), Arizona's high-stakes testing and school accountability program; (b) No Child Left Behind (2002); and (c) Proposition 203 (2000), which places restrictions on programs for English language learner (ELL)…

This article reviews the current policy context in the state of Arizona for program options for English language learners and produces a meta-analysis of studies on the effectiveness of bilingual education that have been conducted in the state in or after 1985. The study presents an analysis of a sample of evaluation studies (N = 4), which…

In this article, the authors examined the effects of 1 year of supplemental instruction on first-grade children considered struggling readers on their phonics and reading comprehension achievement, along with second-grade children considered struggling readers on their reading comprehension achievement. This study included 196 children in 17…

In this article, the author tells the story of one school and how the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has been affecting its teachers and the educational opportunities and outcomes of its students. Roosevelt High School, located in North Portland, Oregon, has the most ethnically diverse student population in what is the largest school district in…

The welfare reform bill adopted in the United States in 1996 limited the eligibility of immigrants for several government assistance programs, and early projections estimated that nearly half of the savings associated with the reforms would come from these immigrant restrictions. Several studies have found that subsequent program participation…