This paper describes the National State Policy Database (NSPD), a full-text searchable database of state and federal education regulations for special education. It summarizes the history of the NSPD and reports on a survey of state directors or their designees as to their use of the database and their suggestions for its future expansion. The…

Opportunities to earn college credit in high school, once limited to a few programs available only to a small percentage of students, have grown dramatically over the last decade. More and more states are adopting policies designed to create a wider array of opportunities--for a broader range of students--to get a head start on college. These…

This brief document analyzes the goals and indicators provided by states as part of the second round of state Biennial Performance Reports (BPRs) covering the academic years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 as required by the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Review of state (or other federal jurisdiction) BPRs examined:…

This paper discusses the legal and ethical questions surrounding "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) orders in the school environment. It begins by reviewing federal and state case law that addresses the appropriateness of medical services and the responsibility of schools in terms of provision of medical services. The review finds that when…

This report examines transfer policies and processes for students among New Mexico colleges and universities. Nearly 9,000 students transferred from one institution to another within the state during 1995-96, an increase of 22 percent over 1994-95. During 1996, the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (NMCHE) adopted a regulation designed to…

This policy study looks at existing and emerging state policies on social promotion to determine the extent to which students with disabilities are included or excluded. Results reflect the status of state polices at one point in time, as determined from publicly available state documents and statutes of 14 states with promotion policies. The…

Because of the large number of children being maltreated, Colorado law mandates that suspected cases of child abuse be reported. It is essential that professionals working with children understand how to recognize and report suspected abuse. This handbook was written to assist teachers, counselors, and social workers in defining child abuse and…

This document outlines the Wyoming Community College Commission Strategic Plan for 2002-2006. The organization's mission, vision, and philosophy statements are presented, along with an analysis of the internal and external factors affecting the agency. External factors include workforce issues, economic conditions, population shifts, and statute…

This policy statement from the Michigan Department of Education interprets federal provisions and the laws of the state as they may pertain to the appointment of surrogate parents for provision of special education programs and services to children with disabilities. It describes the duty of public agencies to assign an individual to act as a…

This report discusses outcomes of a study of assessment directors and transition specialists from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia on exit documents available to and graduation requirements for students with and without disabilities. Results indicate: (1) approximately 80 percent of the states have alternative exit documents for…

Regulatory guidelines governing the minimum schoolhouse construction standards as well as rules for new construction applications, school site selection, and approval procedures are presented. Appendices (comprising 95 percent of the publication) document the following: educational space guidelines; planning for modern education; school…

Community schools are state-funded public schools, exempt from various rules and regulations in exchange for increased accountability or student performance. This Legislative Office of Education Oversight (LOEO) report examines Ohio's first 15 community schools that began during the 1998-99 school year. All 15 schools were successful about…

This paper discusses the national movement toward increasing high school graduation requirements and the development of alternatives to the standard high school diploma for students with disabilities. Findings from a review of state policies indicate: (1) 38 states and territories apply some graduation requirements to students with disabilities;…

Neither public nor private agencies address the extensive religious involvement that children and youth receive in child care facilities and foster home placement situations. In a five-state mid-west study (N=252), this paper examines religious practices in foster homes. The study identifies a strong Christian-based affiliation of foster homes.…

This self-study was conducted at Front Range Community College (Colorado) and completed under the provisions of the Colorado 1996 Higher Education Quality Assurance Act. The report is divided into six sections, one for each required accountability indicator: (1) Business Partnerships and Satisfaction; (2) Faculty and Staff Development; (3)…