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…

In 2009, Excelencia in Education launched the Ensuring America's Future initiative to inform, organize, and engage leaders in a tactical plan to increase Latino college completion. An executive summary of Latino College Completion in 50 states synthesizes information on 50 state factsheets and builds on the national benchmarking guide. Each…

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)

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 long-range program presented in this document outlines the present status of statewide library development in California and identifies needs and resources as a background for future statewide library development. It relates the forecast requirements for the next five years with the future of library service. The program sets forth the goals…

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 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…

As part of a series of reports designed to support the implementation of Proposition 10: The California Children and Families Act and to provide comprehensive and authoritative information on critical issues concerning young children and families in California, this report describes the scope and severity of early childhood caries (ECC), a…

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…