A summary outline of examples of Minnesota statutory curriculum requirements is contained in this information brief. Information is presented in the following six categories: (1) curriculum requirements that all school districts must meet; (2) directions to the state board of education and the state board of teaching to develop curriculum or…

This brief is a special policy report of the Intermediate Service Unit Task Force of the Regional Policy Information Center. Intermediate service units were created in many forms and with many titles to provide assistance and services to local school districts. The task force is working to create and operationalize a "knowledge utilization…

A new approach to distributing educational resources is needed to continue public education. Under this new approach, investment does not rely on consumptive behaviors. Individualistic gain is not stressed at the expense of surrounding institutions, and participation, collaboration, and resource sharing dominate. The post-World War II era in the…

This report contains a synopsis of all public education waivers to improve student achievement granted to Texas school districts during the period from September 1, 1991 through August 31, 1992. The purpose of the waivers is to set aside a requirement or prohibition imposed by state law that inhibits student achievement. The state's educational…

This paper examines systematic ways in which school districts differ and the implications of these differences for how schools work and for the implementation of reform proposals. Data from the California State Department of Education and Florida State Department of Education were analyzed to examine the effect of organizational and resource…

Despite their autonomy in school governance, school districts are creatures of state legislatures, and changes in school district organization are necessary to keep pace with changing needs. Accordingly, the types of Wisconsin school districts are described, and state statutes governing each type of district are provided. The first type--common…

The social studies objectives presented here are intended to serve as a guide for local Michigan school districts as they review and revise their individual social studies programs. Materials are divided into four sections: (1) Common goals of Michigan education are presented, emphasizing the need for citizenship education in the general…

A study examining factors influencing decisions state legislators make about school finance focuses on votes in Michigan, Missouri, and Washington. Each of these states passed major school finance reform legislation during the 1970's and used open legislative procedures in which individual legislators were free to vote their consciences.…

Examines the impact of declining enrollment on public elementary and secondary schools and discusses ways in which a state can deal with the declining enrollment problem through adjustments in its school finance system and through actions of the state education agency. (Author/JG)

Outlines a planning philosophy and a preliminary model that links the State's role in trying to effect change with that of the Federal government and of other constituencies. Describes how New York State has implemented the model in two specific projects. (Author/WM)

Summarizes comments on the future of educational finance in California from people and agencies identified as having an impact on the legislature and the governor. Published by California School Boards Association, 800 9th Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, California 95814. (WM)

The present position of the finance committee of the California School Boards Association on solving the problems created by the Serrano decision is to encourage the introduction of bills that contain as many solutions as can be devised. Published by California School Boards Association, 800 9th Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, California 95814.…

School accountability options are briefly discussed in this exectuve summary of the document, "Accountability: Implications for State and Local Policymakers," by Michael W. Kirst. Six accountability policies are examined, which include performance reporting, monitoring and compliance, incentive systems, reliance on the market, changing the locus…

This preliminary document provides a reference for California educators concerned with the generation of funds for special education programs and is intended to supplement J-50 forms and instructions. The J-50 forms are a series of instructions, worksheets, and data collection forms used by local California educational agencies in the calculation…

A study of the Michigan Education Trust (MET) advance tuition prepayment plan was conducted to generate a demographic profile of current MET enrollees, compare the profile with that of the general population on certain characteristics, and identify any shifts in participant patterns from the first and second rounds of enrollment. Study findings…