The system for financing education in Illinois fails to deliver sufficient resources to the school districts that need them most. Although no individual or administrative unit acts to deprive particular groups, the system as a whole does. Using Census figures, state and local tax records and information from the Illinois Board of Education, this…

This report summarizes the work of Minnesota's Legislative Commission on Children, Youth, and Their Families (LCCYF). The commission was established in 1991 to study state policy and legislation affecting children and their families, and to make recommendations to promote the present and future well-being of these groups. The report begins with an…

Federal law requiring the least restrictive environment (LRE) for disabled students has resulted in the mainstreaming of disabled students and more recently, in the practice of inclusion. Although LRE has increased the number of disabled students in the general education classroom, the dual system of general and special education continues to…

This report addresses the legislation passed by the 1990 Minnesota Legislature concerning the African American Youth Treatment Planning effort for providing five recommendations on prevention, treatment, and aftercare of drug abuse for this population. Based on a literature review and needs assessment that entailed a demographic and socioeconomic…

A study used a special supplement of the Current Population Survey to examine the age, race, gender, and income effects of the unemployment eligibility and job tenure provisions in the Reemployment Act of 1994 (REA). Findings indicated that, at most, 45 percent of all dislocated workers would be eligible for income support during training. Because…

The impact of testing and promotion standards on students in urban schools was discussed by urban school superintendents from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Pointing to research that suggests that standards alone are not enough to boost achievement, many educators recommend coupling more rigorous standards with appropriate remedial programs, staff…

This study of the civil rights policies and practices of the Bush Administration reviews the first 2 years of that administration's actions, presents recommendations for the future, and offers a series of working papers prepared by experts in the civil rights field. Part 1 of two major parts presents the actual report of the Citizen's Commission…

The utilization of teleconferencing as part of the information highway, mainly among schools in North Carolina, is examined. The National Information Infrastructure, outlined by Vice President Gore in January 1994, is the official name of the information system. The U.S. Congress issued four pieces of legislation in support of high-tech…

In the nearly 5 years since the passage of the Family Support Act, a body of research related to the convergence of welfare reform and adult basic and literacy education has begun to emerge. Much of it deals directly with the experience of providing adult basic and literacy education to Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program…

This paper describes programs and resources that focus on access of postsecondary students with disabilities to computers and other forms of technology. Increased access to technological devices and services is provided to students with disabilities under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act). Section…

Arguing that the multitude of federal, state and local laws governing the California Community Colleges (CCC) drains the system's capacity to serve students seeking educational opportunity, this paper examines how the state's colleges came to be micro-managed and offers possible solutions. Part I provides a history of laws and structures governing…

In 1986, the Florida State Legislature passed a law requiring teachers to demonstrate knowledge of their subject areas before being granted teacher certification. The state also provided funding for developing subject area examinations. The generic procedures for developing these examinations are outlined. During the first phase of the project, an…

Six documents were reviewed and recommendations relevant to the work of the Advisory Committee on Testing in Chapter 1 were summarized. A brief description of a framework for discussing different uses of assessment is followed by specific recommendations from each of the following sources: (1) "Working Paper: Reauthorization of the…

The Virginia Department of Education is developing a plan that would require all students to complete a common core of learning with outcomes based on seven dimensions of living. Students successfully completing a statewide assessment of critical knowledge and skills by the end of 10th grade would continue their education by choosing one of three…

This handbook, consisting of an introduction and ten chapters, explains the 19992-93 procedures that higher education institutions must follow in administering the federal government's Student Financial Assistance (SFA) programs. Chapter One describes the organizational structure for areas of the Department of Education directly involved in the…