This seventh annual report examines the status of the teaching profession in California. These reports are meant to provide California policymakers with objective and timely data on the state's teacher workforce. Chapter 1 reviews student achievement trends in the state and then provides an overview of federal and state policies, including…

In order to develop a more uniform approach to determining the population of limited-English-proficient (LEP) individuals in the United States, and for purposes of educational decisions and resource allocation, the definition of this particular population is discussed in this theme issue. First, approaches currently used to estimate the size of…

The Early Childhood Development Communique articulated a commitment to increasing positive outcomes for children from birth to age 6 in Canada. Noting that owners and boards of child care programs are charged with providing a quality service to young children and their families, this discussion paper articulates the owners' and boards'…

Examines the legal context of home schooling. Briefly explains why parents educate their children at home, reviews the history of the phenomenon; considers compulsory attendance laws, and analyzes the legal status of home schooling in the United States. (10 references) (LMI)

Compared to conventionally schooled children, home-schooled children do as well or better academically; they are well adjusted socially, find employment, and go on to further education. Communication technologies allow children to learn academic foundations at home. Discusses parents' reasons for choosing home schooling, legal status in various…

This article discusses Virginia's efforts to implement new educational standards coupled with high-stakes assessments. Students with disabilities have been fully included in reform efforts and participation in the high-stakes assessment program has been relatively active. The focus on only academic skills to the exclusion of life skills is…

Test-based accountability systems are now a central feature of U.S. education policy. Accountability systems are implemented as a way of improving student outcomes through new, highly visible incentives. This paper characterizes the incentives of different state accountability systems and reviews the existing evidence about outcomes. The question…

Many states give individual schools the authority to make decisions in response to local conditions while still meeting state and district goals. Providing flexibility to local decision-makers is also a potential means for improving student achievement. This report provides a snapshot of several states' recent experiences with flexibility and…

Alternative schools have emerged over the years as one educational option for students who are not successful in traditional school settings. The number of these schools is growing rapidly, yet we know very little about similarities in policy and practice across states. This report provides a list and review of current state legislation and policy…

This report is a compilation of information collected from a searchable database on the testing accommodations that are most often allowed for students with disabilities in state policies. These ten accommodations include: (1) Braille edition of the test; (2) computer/machine response; (3) dictate response to a scribe; (4) extended time; (5)…

This monograph presents an analysis of issues related to provision of extended school year (ESY) programs and services for students with disabilities. It discusses major court decisions that have established the case law that governs this area of special education. It also considers issues of eligibility, notice and timing requirements, and the…

This publication summarizes federal laws governing record-keeping, reporting, and retention of records typically in the possession of private and public colleges. It reviews relevant requirements of statutory and regulatory laws in regard to student records (transcripts, medical records, admission files, and disciplinary records); employee records…

Compared to the organization of two-year education in other states, Pennsylvania can be said to have a "non-system" in which local determination predominates and state planning and coordination agencies are little more than advisory bodies. California, for example, has a much larger and more regulated system than Pennsylvania, with the…

The formation of local workforce investment boards (WIBs) was examined through case studies of two sites in Indiana and two in Kentucky. The four sites had very different labor market conditions, contexts, and One Stop histories that affected their formation of local WIBs and selection of One Stop operators. The boards surveyed ranged in size from…

This policy brief reviews relationships between state special education funding formulas and placements in which children with disabilities are served, specifically compliance with mandates for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Data analyzed were for the school year 1992-93.…