This report provides six mini-case studies of higher education policy reforms enacted in other states, exploring the important role that state policy leadership played in developing, promoting, and implementing these policies aimed at improving higher education outcomes, and discussing the relevance of each reform effort for California. This…

The human brain develops rapidly in the first five years of life. High-quality early learning experiences can have a profound and lasting positive effect on young children during these years, setting the stage for success in kindergarten and beyond. This is especially true for young children with high needs who are from low-income families; who…

All students, including students with disabilities, must be included in state accountability systems as required by law. In April 2007, federal regulations provided states the flexibility to offer another assessment option--an Alternate Assessment based on Modified Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) for some students with disabilities. The AA-MAS is…

In April 2007, Federal No Child Left Behind regulations were finalized that provided states with additional flexibility for assessing some students with disabilities. The regulations allowed states to offer another assessment option, alternate assessments based on modified academic achievement standards (AA-MAS). States are not required to have…

Priorities and procedures for making California schools fiscally and educationally accountable. (RA)

The 1999 Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA) created a system for summarizing performance on state standardized tests and an intervention program to help schools that were not meeting state-set goals. California's test scores have improved substantially since then, but state-led interventions programs have had little overall effect on this…

This report of the Joint Committee on Educational Goals and Evaluation to the California Legislature discusses the need for educational goals and evaluation, the committee investigation, and the collection of information. As a result of the investigation, it was concluded that: (1) it is essential that the goal-setting process include the…

The purposes of this paper are to (1) consider the state testing program from the county point of view, (2) relate the testing program to other state required programs, and (3) make some suggestions for the future. (Author)

The report presents the Adult Basic Education (ABE) 321/326 California learning progress and goal attainment data for fiscal year 1998-99. Chapter 1 introduces an overview of adult basic education in California and contains information about ABE 321/326 federal programs and the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASES). It discusses…

This publication consists of descriptive reports of 183 projects funded by Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act from 1966 to 1968, submitted by the directors of those projects conducted by local educational agencies in California. The reports are reproduced as submitted. The report for each project includes: designation of the…

Information is provided concerning California's newly enacted Early Childhood Education Program. The plan calls for restructuring the K-3 program to allow for: (1) lower adult-pupil ratios; (2) individualized, diagnostic instruction; (3) parent participation and involvement; (4) parent education; and (5) expanded inservice education to upgrade…

This plan summarizes the recommendations of a special Advisory Committee on Educational Options charged with developing a strategic plan for educational options within California. The committee was appointed in Spring 1990 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Bill Honig, with the goal of assessing the future needs for educational…

In the fall of 2005, CPEC staff convened an Accountability Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) with representatives from the public and private university systems, the community college system, the Department of Education, and education researchers. The purpose of this committee was to obtain feedback regarding the Commission's online data…

This report contains the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Program and Cost Effectiveness to the California State Board of Education. The committee was established by the California legislature for the purpose of developing a methodology for evaluating the cost effectiveness of various Federal and State educational projects. The report…

The vision for parent involvement presented in this document supports the California State Board of Education's policy initiative on parent involvement. Adopted in January 1989, the initiative includes a policy that encourages school districts and schools to implement long-term, comprehensive programs that build on the strengths of families. The…