This analysis exemplifies Texas as 1 of 22 "adoption states" that select textbooks according to systematic state criteria and interprets this approach in relation to textbook reform efforts. Survey data of state committee members' ranking of criteria during the initial selection phase revealed that the top three criteria were…

The Kansas State Plan for Special Education is designed to trace specific special education issues through statute, regulation, and policy and to translate each issue into operational terms which can be followed by local education agencies. The informational format divides the plan into three major sections. The introductory section presents…

This paper discusses state control over curriculum relative to two general schools of curriculum theorists. The traditionalists employ a behavioristic social science orientation and attempt to develop curriculum theory with laws and principles tested through research. Reconceptualists reject the behavioral science model and attempt to…

At least 21 states have passed or are considering legislation to expand public school choice. The reasons for increasing students' options vary as do the forms of available choices. Some options currently in use are interdistrict choice; second-chance plans; postsecondary enrollment options; intradistrict choice; and magnet, state-supported…

Contemplation by the Illinois General Assembly of a new grant-in-aid system for school finance has suggested a review of educational finance in that state. Taxation maintaining support of public education since 1825 and the establishment of the first free schools are examined. The issue of local funding, the inequities caused by such funding due…

This monograph is designed to provide materials, ideas, and strategies for school districts and teachers to broaden and expand the standards and requirements of Ohio studies. Section 1, "Introduction" provides an overview of the monograph. Section 2, "Organizing for Instruction" gives several alternative approaches to designing…

This document, developed by the Illinois State Boaord of Education, identifies five state goals for learning in the fine arts, and provides sample learning objectives for grades, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, which are consistent with the goals. The state goals for learning are broadly stated expressions of what the Illinois State Board of Education expects…

This book presents a brief description and analysis of the activity of State governments in making educational policy during the past two years. The following three trends are cited as important in the States' increased role: (1) increased State spending on education relative to Federal and local spending; (2) court ordered school finance reform…

This report presents findings from a study of state and local administration of Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act. The report is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the history of Title 1/Chapter 1 and the major conclusions of the study. Chapter 2 describes current administrative practices and…

This booklet describes the results of "Project Education Reform," a partnership involving the U.S. Department of Education, 8 state governors, and 16 school districts--2 in each participating state--representing a cross-section of the nation. It was generally agreed that a good basis for needed educational changes were the 13…

This paper explores challenges and successes of efforts to improve instruction or classroom effectiveness. Policymakers' assumptions, perspectives, and decisions are reviewed and results presented from several studies of instructional improvement activities conducted in Maryland between 1978 and 1985. These activities included Project Basic, a…

This paper summarizes the first 18 months of Maryland's School Improvement through Instructional Process (SITIP) program, begun in fall 1980. Four general methods of data collection were used for the project: observation, interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. Of Maryland's 24 local education agencies (LEAs)--Baltimore City plus 23…

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…

After the Mississippi Legislature passed the Educational Reform Act in 1982, a series of programs were implemented that brought about rapid changes with little or no input from the public school personnel who were affected by them. Accordingly, a survey was conducted of the perceptions of 150 Mississippi principals and 150 superintendents…

From January through March 1988, 31 teachers and administrators from the Capital Region (Albany, New York) met with professors from the State University of New York at Albany in five full-day sessions to discuss education in New York State in the 1990's and to write a report on the results of their deliberations, including observations and…