This paper explores what happens to the old central office when the familiar top-down structure of school governance is replaced by a charter-district system in which independent public schools operate on charters or contracts. For the most part, the paper examines districts that authorize and oversee a significant number of charter schools,…

An updated study of Kentucky school district performance since the implementation of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 (KERA) added 4 years of accountability data; compared the performance of various districts; and explored district financial and teaching resources and their impacts on performance. After the initial years of change…

In 1998, Washington state passed into law WorkFirst, its version of the federal welfare reform program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Colleges were funded for four training programs: (1) Pre-Employment Training; (2) Tuition Assistance; (3) Workplace Basic Skills; and (4) Families That Work. This paper presents the overall…

In 1998, Washington passed into law WorkFirst, its version of the federal welfare reform program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Colleges were funded for four training programs: (1) Pre-Employment Training; (2) Tuition Assistance; (3) Workplace Basic Skills; and (4) Families That Work. This paper presents the overall second-year…

This document outlines the efforts by the Illinois Community College System to provide evidence that each institution is pursuing the goals set forth in the "Illinois Commitment" in ways that fit the particular needs of the district's diverse citizens. The 2003 Results Report also offers evidence of the ways in which the colleges are…

This paper suggests a variety of topics for the National Assessment of Vocational Education (NAVE) to support as it reviews progress under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Technical Education Act 1998 (Perkins III). Section 1 covers the task most closely related to the legislation itself, which is to examine how community colleges and other…

This report provides the Washington State legislature, the Governor, and other interested parties with an update on the accountability performance of each of the state's public baccalaureate institutions (Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Evergreen State College, Washington State University, Western Washington…

The California Governor's Teaching Fellowship is a multi-year, statewide initiative designed to recruit more teachers into the profession. It offers competitive, merit-based awards to encourage highly qualified prospective teachers to work in low-performing schools for 4 years after attaining teaching credentials. Administered by California State…

This executive summary describes a study that finds nearly every school in the Great Lakes states is threatened to fail the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements mandated by the federal "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Act. NCLB holds schools and districts accountable for student achievement on state standardized tests and schools…

For too many graduates, the American high school diploma signifies only a broken promise. While students and their parents may still believe that the diploma reflects adequate preparation for the intellectual demands of college or work, employers and postsecondary institutions know that it often serves as little more than a certificate of…

The kingdom of Morocco has developed an educational system that incorporates traditional customs and values of the people with the system of accountability practiced there under French colonial rule. A highly structured curriculum for each educational level is combined with a minimum competency requirement at each grade level. (Author/MH)

Examines trends in the Spanish higher education system that have allowed market influences to grow in recent years. Analyzes historical framework and legal changes facilitating market trends and considers their influence on the financial and organizational structure of universities as well as on accountability and quality assessment. Concludes…

Examines remedial/developmental education within a rapidly changing educational environment of advanced technology and new demands. Discusses rationale for different delivery models of remedial education. (28 citations) (YKH)

Evaluated the impact that an association with the Teachers College of a midwestern university had on student achievement at schools designated as Professional Development Schools (PDSs). Data were collected from the state mandated achievement test and from ratings of the PDSs. Comparison of PDS and non-PDS sites showed no significant differences…

The seven articles of this issue examine the implications of the proposed use of a variety of new assessments for students and parents, schools and school personnel, the educational system, and society in general. They clarify the dilemmas that challenge educational assessment and the relationship of assessment to educational reform. (SLD)