Examines trends in the incidence of retention, remediation, and identification of students as handicapped in 12 New York State elementary schools across a period of high-stakes assessment and public accountability (1978-79 to 1988-89). A significant increase in the proportion of children retained in grade or identified as handicapped occurred…

Examines school finance reform in Tennessee, based on a survey of 82 superintendents' views on 1991-92 budget cuts, tax reforms, the "Tennessee Small School Systems v. McWherter" lawsuit, and the effect of proposed Basic Education Program requirements on local districts' special education programs. State budget cuts affected all…

Minnesota has several types of school choice options available to its 750,000 students: open enrollment, second-chance programs, postsecondary enrollment options, and charter schools. Survey data show that the families of special-needs students are increasingly using the open-enrollment option and are satisfied with their choices. Students with…

The first education reform wave stressed top-down state initiatives identifying educators as the problem and prescribed greater accountability, closer supervision, tighter regulation, better teacher screening, tougher graduation standards, and a longer school year. The second reform wave saw educators as the solution and advocated bottom-up…

Selected characteristics of 290 reports of physical and sexual abuse and neglect in foster homes, group homes, residential treatment centers, and institutions are described. Physical abuse reports were most common, and neglect least common. Injuries occurred most frequently because of physical abuse, whereas sexual abuse reports were most likely…

Three years ago, a coalition of three Washington State districts, Peninsula, Tacoma, and Issaquah, began cooperating to help one another implement programs and policies fostering a service ethic. This article describes each district's progress at implementing its Project Service Leadership program. (MLH)

School districts across New York State have implemented numerous innovative cost-saving measures in the 1990s, according to February 1993 New York State School Boards Association survey of 722 school superintendents. Districts achieved substantial savings in financial management, plant management, personnel management, and school support services…

Alabama has developed a course of science study that incorporates the National Research Council's standards in science teaching, professional development, assessment, content, program, and system standards. A group of Calhoun County educators and science-related industry leaders recommended that science courses stress hands-on activities,…

State mandates in Kentucky, Oregon, Mississippi, and Tennessee have raised questions concerning multiage grouping's viability. Some educators are implementing multiage classrooms and schools with insufficient forethought, planning, and stakeholder participation. A recent study underlines the importance of teacher readiness, parental involvement,…

Addresses the impact of technology-driven change, especially as it relates to South Dakota, its citizens, and their future. Discusses the impact and peripheral consequences of technology; accepting, managing, and leading change; and rural revitalization and the quality of life. Outlines critical new mindsets, involving technology-driven change,…

Explores how the economic downturn and consequent state budget cuts have driven public colleges to increase tuition by 7.7 percent, the largest rise since 1993. Includes several tables on tuition at U.S. schools. (EV)

The federal government has taken control of state education systems, and state leaders want them back, legislators around the country say. Through the No Child Left Behind Act, Congress and the U.S. Department of Education have forced state lawmakers to expand their testing systems, alter the ways they reward and punish schools, and spend their…

"Policy and Performance in American Higher Education" presents a new approach to understanding how public policy influences institutional performance, with practical insight for those charged with crafting and implementing higher education policy. Public institutions of higher learning are called upon by state governments to provide…

This article details the case, "Three High School Graduates in Qingdao v. the Ministry of Education," filed by the plaintiffs to request the court for a ruling. The lawsuit requests that the court should: (1) declare that the 2001 student enrollment plan for national regular higher education institutions prepared by the defendant is an…

This 1993 report is the second issue of the "State of the State--Education Performance in North Carolina," which monitors the health of North Carolina's education system as a whole and compares it to national and regional performance data. The first two sections define characteristics of North Carolina and its schools. Information about…