Change swept throughout the country with the 2018 elections, bringing 20 new governors into office. Whether returning or starting their first term, governors are taking the opportunity in their State of the State addresses to highlight achievements and outline plans for the future. Every governor who has given an address has mentioned an…

CHILDREN AT RISK, a nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization, undertook a year-long effort to study the subsidized child care system in Texas. This included an in-depth analysis of the system's local and state partners, as well as the promotion of the study's findings and key recommendations. This report is one of the products of this…

Four essays and associated introductory text constituting the proceedings of a symposium on statewide testing in Texas are presented. The papers include: (1) "Statewide Testing in Texas: Historical Perspective" (Glynn Ligon); (2) "Statewide Testing in Texas: Local School District Perspectives" (Whit Johnstone and others); (3)…

Although overall crime rates in Texas are decreasing, violent crime rates among juveniles in the state are on the rise. This document describes the scope of the school violence problem in Texas based on available data. It describes current national and Texas policy initiatives and programs related to school safety and violence prevention.…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Bill Gates Testifies Before Senate Committee: Microsoft Chairman Pushes for High School Reform, Says Every Child…

During 1980-81, 189 Texas school districts and 6 special projects provided programs designed to meet the needs of 111,703 migrant children. Programs provided instructional (reading, mathematics, English language arts) and noninstructional support (dental and medical services, transportation, clothing) services. Parental involvement and student…

The Nurse Academic Collaboration Task Force was formed by the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Commissioner to facilitate linkages between schools of nursing and state facilities, thereby improving the quality of nursing services and assisting in nurse recruitment for state facilities. The task force has identified practice opportunities…

This report focuses on the responses given by 1,531 black high school students interviewed in 11 school districts throughout the State of Texas. It also reports on interviews conducted with a sample of black graduates, dropouts, and parents, school personnel, community people, and employers. Part 1 includes background material. The findings of a…

This document reports on a range of issues, tasks, and accomplishments of the Committee on Higher Education of the 72nd Texas Legislature of the State of Texas. The report opens by listing charges to the committee in the following areas: (1) tuition and fees and causes and effects of recent increases; (2) need for student financial aid; (3) role,…

This report focuses on the new intergovernmental relationships developing between cities, States and the Federal government as funds are "block granted." The first chapter discusses the historical background of federalism and the redistributive role of government, and puts the "new federalism" in perspective. The following…

Texas' Select Committee on Public Education, created in 1983 by resolution of the Texas Legislature, was directed "to study the issues and continuing concerns relating to public education in Texas, particularly school finance and each of its components." The committee's recommendations, presented in this report, are intended to provide…

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)