This document contains the results of a standard setting conducted in January 2002 on the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) Science and Social Studies tests at grades 4 and 6. Each standard setting process entailed convening four groups, one for each grade level and content area, and each group met for 2 days. At the standard setting judges…

As states confront budget shortfalls, investment in mental health services faces the chopping block. Almost every state has instituted cost containment strategies in its Medicaid programs and state policymakers have begun to cut services for people with mental health treatment needs. The first part of this report presents research on state cuts to…

This report describes progress made in the implementation of Connecticut's strategic plan to ensure racial and ethnic diversity. Connecticut's public colleges and universities are becoming more diverse each year, and 2002 continued that trend. Both the overall numbers and proportions of enrolled students, graduates, and professional employees from…

This publication focuses on initiatives that are designed to address hate crimes by enhancing efforts of the criminal justice system. After discussing the pivotal role of law enforcement in this effort, the paper describes six Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded initiatives, which include: the International Association of Chiefs of Police Summit:…

This report is part of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Educational Technology Cooperative's ongoing study of state educational networks. The current report is based on a study of statewide educational networks in three SREB states during May-September 1998, including a review of published materials obtained from network and agency…

The advantages and disadvantages of state mandated and locally developed curricula are discussed. State mandates emphasize a measurement philosophy of education in which testing is the name of the game to determine how well students are achieving. One of the advantages of a state mandated curriculum is that the curriculum is aligned with the…

Noting that the child support collection system is an important source of economic support for many Minnesota children and that child support contributes significantly to children's well-being beyond providing financial benefits, this special Kids Count report examines the child support system in Minnesota. The report provides information about…

This publication provides a reference for those interested in conducting comparative studies about North Carolina tests. It includes norms tables and other basic statistical information for all state-developed tests (state-mandated and local option tests where baseline data are available) that were administered during the current accountability…

Over the next decade, the United States will face ever increasing competition in the global economy. To an overwhelming extent, this competition will involve the mastery and application of new technologies in virtually every field of human endeavor. It will place particular emphasis on the need for heightened skills in mathematics and science. It…

Deaf-blindness is often described as an information gathering disability. People who are deaf-blind are not able to easily obtain information using the distance senses of hearing and sight, and this impacts their ability to interact with others and learn about the world around them. For children who are deaf-blind, this has significant educational…

The evaluation plan described in this article provides a means of obtaining information which can be used as the basis for statewide improvement of secondary occupational home economics education programs. The procedures used in the plan's formulation and implementation in Wisconsin should also be appropriate for use in other states. (Author/CT)

Describes activities of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC). Created in 1973, MECC provides instructional services, develops computer software, and is actively involved in training educators. Other organizations (institutional members) may pay a fixed fee to obtain annual right to duplicate and/or distribute MECC products to…

Pennsylvania's Content Area Reading Program uses a network of 50 trained instructors to help teachers improve students' content area reading skills. This article covers program content, instructor recruitment and training, variations in program presentation, factors underlying program success, and steps in planning inservice programs in content…

Reviews progress made in the past decade to reduce levels of air pollutants in New York. Described are current monitoring and control efforts conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (WB)

This article briefly describes the Facilities and Information Network Development (FIND) project being implemented by the Alabama Governor's Office of State Planning and Federal Programs to provide an economical state-coordinated system of resources and services to the handicapped. (SJL)