There is growing unease about suspension and expulsion of children at the preschool level. Preschoolers are expelled at three times the rate of K-12 students (Gilliam, 2005). Boys--particularly African-American boys--comprise a disproportionate number of these cases, a fact that has caused concern among parents, policymakers, and advocates alike.…

This report examines how state policymakers designed their accountability systems to meet the NCLB Title I requirements and the implications of its provisions for schools with large numbers of low-income and minority students. The authors conducted their study in six states--Arizona, California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Georgia--which are…

This booklet outlines Illinois' eight goals for its public school system for the 21st century. The first two goals reflect a vision for Illinois education. In general, these goals provide an outline of expectations and aspirations for students. The other six goals reflect the nature of support necessary for that responsibility to be successfully…

An executive summary of a study of early intervention policies for young children at risk of academic failure in state education agencies (SEAs) in the North Central United States is provided. The SEAs selected for the study were located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Policies developed before January, 1989…

This edition of the Illinois school reform law includes revisions made during the recent legislative session. The text covers every aspect of organization and administration, including finance, hiring and firing, state aid allocation, teacher training and evaluation, pupil lunches, curriculum design, educational objectives, performance audits,…

This case study, part of the State Structures for the Governance of Higher Education study, focuses on governance and related issues in Illinois' higher education system. The study's overall purpose was to examine differences among states in their governance structures, and to determine if differences in performance were related to governing…

State mandates for teacher professional development and continuing education, and funding for those mandates are a high profile topic in the North Central region. Examination of specific state requirements for professional development, the relationship among professional development, teacher certification, and continued employment, and direct…

The report presents 10 brief issue papers that focus on improving Illinois state planning and administrative functions for the ultimate purpose of improving conditions for Illinois citizens with disabilities. Common themes include more active involvement of the disabled themselves and their families in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of…

Families undergo difficulties in trying to negotiate the labyrinth of early childhood services offered in Illinois. Because of the multiplicity of programs and scarce funding, many children and families do not receive the services they need. Coordination among programs and services is also limited. This paper offers background on how the…

This monograph is based on a conference that was held under the sponsorship of the Midwest Administration Center, Department of Education of the University of Chicago, in February 1977. The conference centered on varying interpretations of the role of the school, the home, and the state in the governing and financing of education in Illinois and…

This annual report concerning adult education and literacy in Illinois during Fiscal Year 1991 first defines the purpose of adult education, which is to provide adults having less than a high school education with continuing opportunities to function more effectively in society. A section on administration considers state, federal, public…

Reviews precedents, at the state level, to the movement for education reform. Reports, by year and state, on first reactions to reform. Outlines topics touched by state reform efforts, summarizes unifying themes, and predicts the future of reform. Includes a table of states requiring testing for initial certification of teachers. (IW)

The Illinois Council on Vocational Education evaluated the adequacy and effectiveness of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) in Illinois. Three categories of programs were offered: Title IIA Employment and Training Services to economically disadvantaged youth and adults and Older Individuals Programs; Title IIB Summer Youth programs; and Title…

This 1976 study presents an update of a 1971 assessment of Illinois Area Vocational Centers (AVCs). The following topics are discussed in sections of this report: (1) methodology of the study which included meetings with an advisory committee of AVC directors, interviews at each of twenty-nine operating AVCs, distribution of 2,000 of eleven…

A study was undertaken to assess the impact of existing state policies toward private higher education on enrollments, finances, autonomy, academic freedom, and other conditions of private institutions. The study included a survey of the presidents and their staffs of 230 institutions, site visits to 28 colleges and universities in five states,…