Growing concern over the complexity of the federal financial aid system and a push toward simplification has led to increased attention toward streamlining the federal student aid programs. Specifically, several proposals and policy papers have recommended consolidating the federal aid programs into one grant program and one loan program, commonly…

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) regularly tracks state developments, proposals, and legislation as they affect public higher education governance and trusteeship. This paper provides an early read on what state, university system, and institutional leaders see as important for the immediate future of public…

This Issue Brief, an update of "Authorizing Virtual Charter Schools: Rules of the Road on the Digital Highway" by Gregg Vanourek, is part of NACSA's Cyber series, which addresses issues in policy and practice that concern authorizing online schools and blended learning. It aims to improve authorizer understanding and oversight of online…

On September 8, 2011, the President proposed the American Jobs Act to Congress, including investments of $25 billion to renovate and modernize at least 35,000 of America's public schools; $5 billion to upgrade infrastructure at America's community colleges; and $30 billion to keep hundreds of thousands of educators in the classroom. This report…

This report represents the latest State Governance Action Report (SGAR) covering current or just recently completed legislative sessions. Among the most important issues being considered are management autonomy, such as relaxed rules for purchasing, procurement, and human resources, and greater fiscal autonomy measures such as carry-over budgeting…

In 1989, Saddleback College (SC) and nine other California community colleges were selected for an on-site review of the uses and benefits of Assembly Bill (AB) 1725 faculty and staff development funds. The materials in this report describe the process and criteria used by the Saddleback College Faculty and Staff Development Committee to allocate…

California Assembly Bill 1725 repealed the credentials used to determine the subject areas that community college faculty could teach and mandated the development of a list of disciplines. This two-part paper describes policies of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) with respect to assigning courses and proposing changes…

Prepared for the state legislature, this document is intended to supply practical information to help law makers and educators better understand the planning processes and cooperative efforts that currently exist among the public schools in the 18 counties of southwest and central Minnesota. Parts One and Three describe the planning process that…

The call for reform has overlooked school boards, which are crucial to effective reform. Focused attention on the role of boards of education in school reform is vital. If boards of education continue to be ignored, their potential for impeding school improvement is likely to increase. (BJV)

This briefing paper provides background information and reports on the achievements and future challenges of the Preschool Grants Program of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Section 619 authorizes grants to states to provide special education and related services to children, ages 3 through 5 years, with disabilities. This…

In August 1987, a group of Black community leaders and activists announced a plan to create the North Division School District, a small independent unit within the Milwaukee Public Schools. The plan has received opposition from various sectors but should be implemented on at least a trial basis. (BJV)