Arguments for and against school choice are presented. Claims on both sides often obscure the complexities, dilemmas, and tradeoffs involved. If diversity and choice become ends in themselves, if choice is not coupled with fundamental reform and the quest for excellence, the choices may be empty ones. (Author/VM)

Reviews the contributions made by four Michigan communication networks to further statewide distance education, examines the telecommunication services made available by each network, and reviews each network's benefits and limitations. Also discusses the working relationships between the networks and Western Michigan University. (JMV)

Policy analysis provides the framework for enrollment planning in the Arizona university system. The new planning model consists of a statement of principles, a five-year strategic plan, an enrollment demand model, determination of institutional capacities, development of strategies to meet demand, and analysis of policy choices and consequences.…

The use of selective, as contrasted with across-the-board, state funding as an incentive for program improvement in higher education institutions is discussed, and the experiences of four states (New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee) are examined for forces that work against the long-term feasibility of this approach. (Author/MSE)

Includes "Community Education (CE) Development in the States" (Clark, Zemlo); "State of the States" (Clark, Zemlo); "In Support of State-Level CE Development" (Decker, Romney); "CE in Florida" (Hanley, Robinson); ""CE in Kentucky" (Christenson, Whitus); "CE in Minnesota" (Kerns,…

Describes the local political action and advocacy efforts of members of the National Network for Early Language Learning in promoting foreign language education, focusing on the efforts of Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Vermont. Also lists recipients of state exemplary political action and advocacy awards. (SM)

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) has authorized services to assist Arizona employer clients and job-seeking clients in developing businesses and communities with qualified staff who can respond to opportunities for business and job growth. Locations in which businesses and jobs are growing require responsive mechanisms that address unique…

In an era of rapidly changing demands from students, taxpayers, and legislative leaders, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTC System) embarked on the development of a new online college to increase student access and save resources. The eTech College of Wisconsin represents a unique venture that requires collaboration and that shares…

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) follows education budgets and legislation during regular and special legislative sessions. Current actions are found in Legislative Reports that are released on a timely basis during the months that SREB state legislatures are in session, usually from January through July. These reports follow education…

The "National Dropout Prevention Newsletter" is published quarterly by the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network. This issue contains the following articles: (1) Policy Matters; (2) A Conversation With A State Policymaker (Stephen Canessa); (3) Policy Matters at the School Level (Steven W. Edwards); (4) EEDA: Promise or Peril? (Sam…

Ohio's Model Industrial Technology Systems (MITS) project was initiated in 1987 to achieve the following: identify good activities in the areas of physical, communication, and bio-related technology; standardize the activities' format; and provide a coding system for their eventual use in a hypermedia system. To date, 220 activities have been…

Twenty-seven documents identified as critical to relating school-to-work to Ohio's public education system were analyzed to determine their topic emphasis. The Ohio School-to-Work Glossary, School-to-Work Opportunities Act, Goals 2000, Ohio Teacher Standards, and Ohio Curriculum Standards were used to develop a 10-category framework for the…

As the 21st century approaches, the question about what the appropriate means and ends in education should be has become embedded within a larger societal concern for fostering greater equity and excellence. This paper raises a set of historical and contemporary issues related to understanding educational reform and school improvement within the…

This paper describes the restructuring of the Virginia Department of Education, a process that began in 1990. Data were obtained from four sources: (1) Virginia Department of Education documents; (2) a prerestructuring study conducted by Price Waterhouse in 1989; (3) an evaluative report undertaken by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review…

This report examines the need for alternative education programs in Virginia, submits a plan and an estimate for funding, and reports findings and recommendations. The project team developed an implementation plan that identified five major objectives: (1) provide budget recommendations and estimates for Alternative Education at the state and…