In 1992, economic recession and the resulting drop in anticipated revenues placed the Illinois educational system in a state of financial crisis. Two related developments included delayed state aid payment and a 3-percent budget recision. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the effect of the decline in funding on Illinois public…

Designed to identify the effects of federal and state legislation on community colleges and, specifically, on Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ), this two-part paper provides a summary of provisions of House Resolution (HR) 1617, a bill to reform the nation's workforce and career training efforts, as well as a review of the 1996…

"Confronting the New Politics of Child and Family Policy in the United States" is an 18-month project designed to help states, local governments, and the voluntary sector as they respond to the social policy debates and changes precipitated by the 104th Congress. The project's main vehicle will be a series of reports, based on a series…

This institutional accountability plan and progress report for Pensacola Junior College (PJC) in Florida establishes institutional goals for 1995-96 to 1999-2000 and presents data on accountability outcomes measures for 1992-93. The report is submitted to the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) in compliance with Florida Statutes 240.324. The…

In 1994 Arkansas's school-finance system was declared unconstitutional. A compromise plan was drawn up during the following year to appease both the state legislature and the governor. This paper discusses the confusing and contradictory aspects of three pieces of the state's school-finance legislation: Act 916, Act 917, and the Biennial…

A 1991 study conducted by the Ohio Legislative Office of Education Oversight examined the Career Education program funded through the Ohio Department of Education. During the 2 years studied, the Career Education program was funded for $11.5 million in 60 local programs serving 365 school districts in grades K-12. (Career education is not a course…

A course inventory and a graduate student survey showed that while higher education has addressed violence and abuse issues in professional programs, efforts have not always kept up with changes in society. The inventory of postsecondary courses reported 925 courses dealing with issues of violence and abuse along with other aspects of professional…

This research brief examines trends at the federal and state levels in educational reform and implications for reform for students with disabilities. After briefly reviewing the historical background of standards-based school reform, the brief stresses the importance of a three-pronged reform strategy, involving: (1) a unifying vision and goals,…

The Department of Education's (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces several statutes that protect the rights of beneficiaries in programs or activities that receive financial assistance from ED. These laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), sex (Title IX of the…

This book for young readers explains what discrimination is and explores different types of discrimination and how they have developed over the years. Laws that make it more difficult to discriminate against others are described, and the struggle for human rights is outlined. Discrimination means acting unfavorably toward someone based on the…

This publication provides a compilation of Texas statutes relating to libraries and topics of interest to librarians through the 74th Legislature, 1995. In addition to laws in which the words "library,""books,""Texas State Library,""Library and Archives Commission," and "director and librarian"…

This document consists of two issue briefs that provide information on the new federal welfare program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Part I looks at these requirements of the new law: development of a state plan that describes how the state will ensure that welfare recipients are working within 2 years; determination of what activities…

Signed into law in May 1994, the School-to-Work Opportunities (STWO) Act provides states and communities with funds to develop systems that connect academic knowledge with technical skills and workplace competencies. The Act links the Goals 2000: Educate America Act with workforce and economic development and is designed to help the nation prepare…

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 constitutes a major overhaul of telecommunications law and will have a major impact on rural residents, communities, schools, libraries, and hospitals. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requesting comments from "the grassroots" about telecommunications issues and concerns of greatest…

The National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations has sponsored a series of conferences that bring together Hispanic health and human services leaders. This report is the result of in-depth consideration and deliberation by a representative group of Hispanic community health and human services leaders who met in…