Historically states are seen as more comfortable with narrowly focused rules, regulation, and monitoring responsibilities than with broad change. Currently states face revolutionary new arrangements for financing education, overseeing federal commitments, and providing fair and meaningful standards for educational performance. The major…

This report presents findings and recommendations of the Little Hoover Commission regarding California's efforts to provide schools that are economically built, adequate, safe, and well maintained. Findings and recommendations are presented in the following areas: school facility building and maintenance; leadership needs in managing construction…

This report reviews special education costs and funding for Wisconsin public school districts, as well as the funding relationship between special education and regular education. In addition, it compares Wisconsin's method of allocating categorical aid to methods that other states use in allocating special education funding, and presents survey…

Intended to provide background information to state leaders as they play an increasingly visible role in reading programs, this policy brief notes that too many students are not reading at grade level and apparently are not receiving adequate opportunities to catch up to their peers. The brief is in 7 sections. The first is "How Well Are Students…

This document is a series of 1999 newsletters from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. Reoccurring issues covered in the newsletters are technology and distance education, full-time and part-time faculty, state budget and legislative updates, accreditation, and areas of interest specific to California Community Colleges and the…

A case study analyzed Connecticut's state-level and district-level policies and practices related to its high level of reading achievement. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and Connecticut's statewide test were analyzed; state and local policies were identified through interviews. Results indicated: on the 1998…

This handbook is a compilation of fiscal procedures and instructions to assist Illinois local education agencies in claiming reimbursement for special education services for the 1998-99 school year. It contains: (1) general instructions for completing the Special Education Pupil Reimbursement form; (2) instructions for filling out sections…

Information contained in this summary was derived from data submitted by Wisconsin technical colleges on their 1999-2000 projected cost allocation schedules. Cost allocation information is used to calculate the distribution of state aids to each college, and prepare financial and enrollment reports including state statistical summaries and reports…

Because of the individual authority of each State for its own educational program, practices and policies differ widely among them in many respects. Yet in the midst of differences there are also common elements of development. The U. S. Office of Education, in presenting this series of monographs, has attempted to point out those common elements,…

Because of the individual authority of each State for its own educational program, practices and policies differ widely among them in many respects. Yet in the midst of differences there are also common elements of development. The U. S. Office of Education, in presenting this series of monographs, has attempted to point out those common elements,…

Discusses unification of elementary and secondary school districts and examines an application of a negative incentive -- reduction of State aid to districts that fail to operate and maintain educational programs for children K-12. (JF)

Discusses alternative sources for school funding to replace the traditional heavy reliance on local property taxes and addresses the problem of financial inequity between school districts. Proposes complete state financing of all school districts and an increased state income tax as possible alternatives to local property tax-based school funding.…

The major purpose of this discussion is to project future consequences of public education resulting from the current wave of taxpayer revolts. More specifically, a scenario for the 1980s is described that includes eight specific trends that will gain impetus from the Proposition 13 syndrome. (Author)

The Ontario Ministry of Education conducted case studies of the testing programs in nine selected school districts. Results are presented in narrative form on the major study questions: testing program development and organization, the tests administered, uses of test results, and perceived role of the ministry in evaluation programs. (SJL)

The Illinois General Assembly adopted a bill designed to increase school district autonomy. Provides an overview of the waiver act and its regulations. Analyzes the school districts' waiver requests, specifically addressing physical education, corporal punishment, and the five-clock-hour school day. Discusses the act's implications for educational…