Describes specific K-12 policy initiatives of the State Board of Education, fiscal support from the government, and partnerships with the business community and higher education that are aligning and improving student learning outcomes in Maryland at all levels of education. (EV)

Studied beyond students' failing scores on a state reading assessment to investigate the needs of struggling students and implications for policy. Results for 108 students in 17 elementary schools suggest that scores on state tests mask distinctive and multifaceted patterns of students'reading abilities that require dramatically different…

The educational reform strategies of Texas, California, and South Carolina are examined as they relate to reform outcomes. The current effort toward educational excellence must shift its focus from regulation and compliance monitoring to mobilization of institutional capacity. (SLD)

This study analyzes the interstate variation in the achievement gap among racial and social groups and the ways in which state policies contribute to the achievement gap. The primary data source is the National Assessment of Educational Progress Trial State Assessment. Influences of state policies are noted and discussed. (SLD)

Describes developments in the state of South Carolina regarding school assessment and accountability. Outlines the mandates of South Carolina's Accountability Act of 1998 which focuses directly on "school accountability." (SR)

The "2011 State Preschool Yearbook" is the newest edition of our annual report profiling state-funded prekindergarten programs in the United States. This latest "Yearbook" presents data on state-funded prekindergarten during the 2010-2011 school year as well as documenting a decade of progress since the first…

In 2008, the Center for Digital Education (CDE) conducted a review of state policy and programs to determine the status of online learning policy and practice across the United States. CDE interviewed state education officials across the nation to evaluate the overall landscape of online learning. The rankings reflect the vision, policies,…

This report shows that Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states are making progress in developing school leadership systems to ensure that every public school has a principal who can improve student performance, but states need to accelerate their efforts in order to meet their own achievement goals. The report calls for a new generation of…

This handbook was written as a resource for Early Childhood Services (ECS) operators in Alberta (Canada) who are applying for Program Unit Grants (PUG). An introduction explains the principles of ECS in providing a coordinated system of services to meet the developmental and special needs of young children and their families, including children…

This report describes how federal State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) allocations have affected state expenditures on student grant programs, what state grant program directors believe would happen to their programs if SSIG funds were cut, and why members of the National Association of State Scholarship and Grant Programs (NASSGP) believe that…

This policy brief explores the charter-school concept, looking specifically at: (1) the development of the charter-school idea; (2) current models of charter schools; (3) issues regarding the development of charter schools, such as district reluctance, teacher concerns, organized opposition, fiscal issues, and admission policies; and (4) progress…

This report identifies state initiatives, policies, and programs in the area of adult learning undertaken in 10 selected states during 1979 and 1980. The methodology used to compute the state data is described. Profiles are then provided for the surveyed states: Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina,…

Currently, 237 of California's 383 unified and high school districts and 66 of its 71 community college districts are authorized to offer adult and noncredit education. Each year, 7 percent of Californians enroll in adult or noncredit courses. They are the most diverse of any students in the state. In 1981, the Legislature established 10…

The results of selected Wisconsin Council on Vocational Education activities (and consequent recommendations) from July 1, 1986 through December 31, 1988, are reported, pursuant to the requirements of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act. In addition, the following sections also appear: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Executive…

The paper examines the intergovernmental relationships in policy making for the development of programs for gifted and talented students. A review of studies on provision of programs for gifted children cites inadequate and unevenly distributed services and analyzes the effects of PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act on…