Appalachian continuities include attachment to land and religion, high teen pregnancy, and low literacy and income. Trends in Appalachia that institutions of higher education must address are higher rates of college attendance, migration to urban areas, changes in student learning styles, and increasing pressure to educate students to workplace…

Uses data from pilot year of Pre-school Education Initiative in Scotland to look at the impact of government-introduced voucher system intended to expand preschool provision. Identifies four changes in provision and for the culture: playroom activities, expectations for purpose/outcomes of program, parental roles, and requirements for quality…

A survey of 22 dental-hygiene-program directors found that programs routinely and effectively assess student outcomes and use the information for program improvements and to demonstrate accountability. Both policy and faculty/administrative support were deemed important to implementation. Time constraints were a major barrier. Outcomes-assessment…

Voucher proposals raise disturbing questions about public information, equity, segregation, and state-church separation. Under Milwaukee's program, which gives poor students public vouchers to attend private and religious schools, participating schools are exempt from open meetings laws, teacher certification rules, statewide testing, and salary…

Critiques a collection of articles on accountability, testing, and academics in schools with minority group and low-income students, examining their polar positions and explaining that polar positions are often equally biased. Expresses concerns about the TAAS, discussing what changes are needed in the educational system and the TAAS in order for…

Outlines the role of California policymakers as they work to shift the focus of educational reform from rules and processes to student achievement and accountability. Describes the Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999, the most immediate and comprehensive of California's new laws. Shows how it defines fundamental questions of who should be…

Under a bill amending Ontario, Canada's Educational Accountability Act, teachers were expected to resume formerly "voluntary" extracurricular duties they resigned when ordered to teach an extra class. The government's strategy to recast these activities as "co-instructional" did not fly. However, the education minister is…

Examines contradictions between school accountability legislation and the moral leadership applicable to its development and implementation. Using the ethics of critique, justice, and care, analyzes Ohio's recent fiscal and accountability legislation, which may be setting school districts up for failure. Policymakers must examine their moral…

Examines the evolution of deregulation as a state education policy strategy, from limited waiver programs to charter programs and new accountability systems that include broad deregulation. The article discusses the substantial political and practical barriers to broad deregulation despite the assumption that greater school-level autonomy will…

Considers how to maintain academic integrity when using Web-based instruction in higher education. Highlights include standards for traditional courses; accountability; secure testing; and creating a virtual community, including collaborative learning elements. (LRW)

Applies four measures of disparate impact (four-fifths rule, Hazelwood rule, Shoben rule, and rule of practical significance) to Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) performance data for racial/ethnic groups. Compares findings to data on school quality and math course completion by racial/ethnic group. (Contains 21 references.) (SV)

Are state accountability systems hurting minority and low- income children's education or increasing equity? The answer is both, depending on which system, interacting components, or time periods are being considered. System flaws in Texas and elsewhere may be distracting folks from historic improvement possibilities. (Contans 23 references.) (MLH)

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) clearly identifies community colleges as integral players in creating a high quality workforce. With multiple funding streams, greater local control over system design, and a mandate for universal access, community colleges must be able to address the client tracking and data management challenges that…

This article emphasizes the importance of documenting gifted education results to governing bodies such as state legislatures and school boards. It discusses three general issues of communication with decision-makers: being clear on intentions, being considerate of decision-makers, and providing useful information. Data gathering suggestions for…

Describes a nexus between teacher education, teacher education research, and state policy, tracing the past dozen years of efforts designed to both support and retain California teachers in their early years; highlighting the California New Teacher Project and the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program; and noting the rapid expansion in…