The legislative history and provisions, implementation, and intended use of 12 state-mandated programs are described. Florida's program was mandated in 1971. The other states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) initiated programs after 1975; most are in their…

Provided is data resulting from a project to develop profiles of state special education programs. An introductory section reviews the project's background, purposes and objectives, value or significance, and procedures. The bulk of the document consists of profiles for each state and U.S. territory which include information pertaining to the…

This report offers an assessment of the status of child development programs in Vermont based on information gathered by the Interagency Council on Child Development which was created by the Vermont legislature in 1974. Program descriptions for each state department, division and agency represented on the Council, and several not represented, are…

This research brief lists and indexes materials on State education legislation and activity by subject and State. The information was obtained from answers to questionnaires sent to State education agencies, legislative service agencies, teacher organizations, and school board associations. Other information was obtained from materials sent during…

Cable television for the State of New York is discussed in detail with relation to: (1) the regents of the University of the State of New York, (2) legislation, (3) planning and proposals for franchises, (4) the Federal Communications Commission, (5) access rules, (6) a list of companies and those serving schools, and (7) federal/state/local…

Online learning holds promise for providing new educational opportunities to a wide range of students across the country. The rapid expansion of K-12 online learning, however, threatens to outpace the development of appropriate state-level policies that serve to fulfill the promise. As the National Association of State Boards of Education warned…

In 1996, many states took action to give parents greater control over the education of their children. Many local school boards adopted initiatives to give parents educational choice and the ability to use vouchers to help pay tuition costs at schools of their choice. Over 200 new charter schools opened in 17 states, and an additional 6 states and…

This guidebook is intended to assist the transition of Colorado students with developmental disabilities from school to post-school activities by promoting flexible and collaborative planning and service delivery among community-centered boards (CCBs), local education agencies, and other state and community agencies. First, a definition of…

This final report describes the activities and outcomes of a service coordination outreach project designed to assist states in meeting their urgent needs for qualified and appropriately trained personnel to carry out their new roles as service coordinators in the provision and coordination of early intervention services as stipulated in federal…

Conversations with seven Boston-area adult basic education (ABE) program coordinators revealed the severe adverse effects of Massachusetts' new restrictive welfare reform law on literacy education programs for the poor. The new law limits cash assistance to 2 years for most welfare recipients and requires most recipients whose youngest child is…

This report presents an analysis of the school choice movement throughout the United States, and a state-by-state analysis that provides snapshots of each state's progress toward school choice and charter schools. The Children's Scholarship Fund found that 1.25 million low-income parents would take advantage of scholarships that would allow their…

Since 1915, when the Americanization "movement" came into being, the American people have joined dozens of Americanization societies, listened to hundreds of people who declaimed Americanization, and read thousands of dissertations, wise and otherwise, on the same theme. For several years past, Americanization movements have been…

The evolution of the California Assessment Program from its legislative origins in 1961 is discussed. The following topics are included: history; analysis and reporting of results; program impact; program assessment; and future changes in emphasis. (MH)

Explains issues involved in establishing "charter schools," public schools set up by outside educators or others under a contract granted by some responsible public body. Elements of the Minnesota charter law are discussed. The idea of alternate sponsorship is critical to new and better ways of education. (SLD)

Executive and legislative branches of the New York State government have made consistent efforts to address the dropout problem, which is particularly acute in urban schools, through new initiatives and increased funding. State aid programs are summarized, and suggestions for improvement are provided. (SLD)