Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) offer parents a publicly funded, government-authorized savings account they can draw on for certain K-12 educational expenses. As these programs have expanded in recent years, they have become a flashpoint in education policy debates. For some, ESAs are an extension of existing private school choice programs'…

As of 2011, 31 million adults in the United States had some college credit but had not earned a postsecondary credential, defined in this brief as a near-completer. This brief provides an overview of the 2017 near-completer policy landscape and a detailed review of three states implementing innovative outreach to this population. State example…

A state department of education (SDE) served by the Southeast Comprehensive Center (SECC) at SEDL requested information regarding state use of schoolwide, large-scale professional learning communities (PLCs). Specifically, the SDE staff wanted to know the following with respect to PLC work in other states: (1) Are PLCs state-mandated through…

The outcomes states gain from investing in postsecondary financial aid programs remain hotly debated, leading to great interest in developing programs that are both cost-effective and productive in helping states meet goals. In the 2012-13 academic year, states collectively provided approximately $11.2 billion in financial aid to students enrolled…

Problems encountered during the implementation of a statewide educational accountability plan in Mississippi are typical of those reported in the literature. This article reviews the development of the plan, the direction of implementation process has taken, and proposals for the future. (PGD)

Reported is a study of child abuse legislation and state programs relating to principles of reporting abuse in the eight southeastern states in Region IV (Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi). Chapter 1 introduces the report and includes research objectives, format, and methods of data…

This booklet provides information about the state of Mississippi's Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program. The state-guaranteed program creates tax-exempt monthly or lump-sum prepayment plans that cover tuition and all mandatory fees at state-supported colleges or universities, are portable to private and out-of-state schools, and can be…

Collected are materials related to Mississippi's efforts to improve the educational services provided in the state for at-risk students. The first item describes the Superintendent of Education's Class of 2000 Project, which includes a request that the people of Mississippi adopt the class of 2000, which is in school now, and develop a legislative…

The report is a legislative needs assessment for persons who are blind and visually impaired in Mississippi. The first chapter presents an overview of the project. Chapter 2 summarizes federal legislation concerning persons who are blind and visually impaired. Chapter 3 reviews the methodology used to analyze state legislation and provides a brief…

To complement the information gathered on middle school and high school literacy initiatives as reported in "Middle and High School Literacy across the Curriculum" (Task 1.2 Fast Response Project), the Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast (REL-SE) staff conducted a scan of the six southeast states to gather the following information…

This report to the Mississippi Legislature presents the findings of a review of the central office of the State Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). The review committee sought to determine if the accounting practices and external controls over the IHL central office ensured an adequate level of accountability for public…

This document presents the revised guidelines for staff development in Mississippi, as mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1982, produced by the State Department of Education in consultation with various state-appointed commissions and 16 school districts that participated in a pilot testing program. These guidelines are to be used by all…

The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) Committee of the Mississippi Legislature is authorized to review any public entity at the request of the legislature. In response to numerous allegations by agency employees and citizens and to anonymous complaints, the PEER Committee reviewed the Mississippi…

This report to the Mississippi Legislature presents the findings of a review of student financial aid administrative expenditures and enforcement of residence requirements by the State Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). The review found that IHL privatized a loan guarantee program and redirected special funds to a private…

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)