This playbook provides ways in which Governors and teams can blur the lines between high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Governors play a significant role to Raise the Bar for student success by developing an "education-to-workforce system" that focuses on Unlocking Career Success.

The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning (National AEM Center) at CAST is a technical assistance (TA) center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The purpose of the Center is to improve educational and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through…

For several years, there have been varying and often conflicting viewpoints and definitions of what formative assessment is--is it a product, is it a process, is it something that can be bought? One source of confusion about this issue has come from products and services sold by curriculum and assessment vendors, touted as "formative assessment."…

This state policy guide looks at partnerships between charter schools and community, faith-based, and for-profit organizations as one way for these schools to access essential goods and services. Each type of partnership poses specific challenges and opportunities, and, based on a review of charter school legislation and interviews with state…

It is up to the governor to assume the leadership for providing the citizens with a vision of what a quality education can be. (Author/MLF)

This report focuses on working effectively with elected officials and policy makers, and may be used as a guide for self-assessment and as a training tool. Following an introduction outlining the importance of working effectively with state and local policy makers and reviewing state laws concerning lobbying, the guide is divided into 15 sections…

Superintendents can wield influence at the statehouse if they know how. Offers tips from state-level lobbyists on how to reach a legislator's ear. (MLF)

A former governor's aide offers seven rules to help educators gain access to the seat of state budgetary and political power. (MLF)

As governors confront the worst state fiscal environment in the past 25 years, long-term prospects for strong economic growth are hampered by an immense underlying problem: the high school dropout crisis. At least one student in five drops out of school, and nearly 5 million 18- to 24-year-olds lack a high school diploma. Annually, dropouts cost…

A study of communication between superintendents and legislators in Illinois revealed that superintendents seldom speak to legislators. Survey forms were sent to the 39 legislators on education committees: 29 legislators completed the survey, and 21 of these were interviewed indepth. (MLF)

This guide provides an introduction to state government in North Carolina. It has three aims: to provide information about the organization and function of state departments and agencies; to provide content on ideas and issues relevant to democratic government; and to provide information that establishes a foundation for participatory citizenship.…

This guide was prepared to assist state directors/coordinators of career education in becoming more knowledgeable about management and evaluation. The purposes of the guide are to define managementand identify basic functions, review characteristics of managers, and identify evaluation techniques available to help managers do a better job. The…

This fact sheet discusses the importance of providing state legislators with accurate information and gives guidelines for state education agencies to use when communicating with legislators about special education. The guidelines include: (1) focus on solutions; (2) be accurate; (3) include timelines for specific actions; (4) provide examples of…

Survey and observational research on educational lobbying organizations in the Pennsylvania state legislature yielded both data on influence processes and a set of seven guidelines for educational lobbyists. A survey of Pennsylvania legislators at the 1973-74 session examined their attitudes about education bills, educational lobbies and their…

This booklet offers techniques and insights to assist the lobbying efforts of Minnesota advocates of individuals with disabilities. It begins by explaining lobbying and the legislative process. Suggestions for effective meetings with legislators are provided, along with ways to get an author for proposed legislation. The following sections discuss…