In the wake of "municipal overburden" characterizing today's cities faced with an increased demand for public services and a diminishing tax base, most urban areas in the United States have had to explore new sources of additional funds ranging from federal revenue sharing to the use of public lotteries. This paper focuses on the…

The regional educational service agency (RESA) has a bright future because it (1) is the most feasible approach to overcoming existing inadequacies and providing equal educational opportunity, while protecting local control; (2) improves the structure of the State system; (3) permits greater efficiency and economy in the provision of many…

This paper outlines the historical background leading to the California Serrano vs Priest decision, discusses the implications of that decision, and suggests what might be done to fashion the elements of a State aid formula to meet the tests of equity and fairness demanded by Serrano. The author presents the various equalizing formulas and…

The first section of this two-part report issued by the Minister of Public Education for the Saarland presents brief summaries of recent policy and programs--as well as plans for development--for all educational levels, kindergarten through college, academic and vocational. Reviews are also included of current activities in sports, school…

This booklet is divided into five sections. The first discusses the differences between education costs and education expenditures and the alternative ways that education costs can be measured. The second section shows how economic analysis can be used to isolate and measure the factors that cause differences in education costs. Section three…

Recent state reforms that embrace the effective schools movement may actually be counterproductive. These mandates encourage the persistence of outmoded, teacher centered, pedagogical practices and current school organizational structures, inhibiting the development of students' independent reasoning and problem-solving skills, as well as the…

This study of evaluation utilization identified organizational, political, and practical arrangements facilitating the wide use of "The Interim Report Evaluation" in policymaking for California's Early Childhood Education Program. In a program fraught by tensions, where evaluations had been political tools, this evaluation was special.…

Argues that local school districts in California have been rendered essentially obsolete by state funding and control due to the combined effects of the "Serrano" decision (requiring statewide school expenditure equalization) and Proposition 13. One board president and two superintendents take issue with this judgment. (TE)

Part I of a two-part series examines various approaches currently used by states to provide aid to local school districts, including flat grants, foundation grants, matching systems, the multitier approach, categorical aid, transportation aid, and capital outlay/debt service support systems. Related issues and special features are then discussed.…

These two technical assistance papers are designed to provide further clarification to Florida school districts regarding the evaluation procedures and determination of eligibility for children with disabilities in transition from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C, Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program to the…

The Florida Education Governance Reorganization Transition Task Force was established to recommend a structure as well as an accountability process for a seamless K-20 educational system for the state. In September 2000, the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) decided to survey its members, the presidents, and the local trustees of the 28…

This state plan for the education of gifted/talented students in Texas first offers a rationale and goal and then defines the state and district roles for educating gifted students. The plan provides guidelines for use by local district personnel in the development of gifted programs that meet state requirements. These guidelines include: (1)…

This document reports on a state (Maine) legislative task force evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational program and governance system of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf in the context of the range of alternative educational models and placements available. Conclusions and recommendations are organized into the…

The New Jersey Department of Education, as part of its goal to modernize its learning environments, has established a Distance Learning Network Aid program. The program supplies funding to school districts to participate in a statewide technological network system designed to support achievement of the state's Core Curriculum Content Standards.…

Under the leadership of a new superintendent, Nebraska City (Nebraska) school district coordinated curriculum across the K-12 grades and schools by involving the teachers and community. At multiple department meetings, staff held conversations about student performance objectives. Community conversations were held with a cross-section of parents,…