In every state of the United States, efforts are under way to improve the way education is provided; however, no single reform strategy dominates. This document summarizes major statewide reforms under way in each of the 50 states. The impetus for reform, the driving agencies or institutions behind reform, as well as the intended results, vary…

This publication describes the restructuring plans of 10 Utah high schools in 9 school districts that were selected by the Utah State Board for Vocational Education to implement school restructuring. The Nine District Consortium seeks to build a statewide resource of proven practices and solutions to problems in education. Representing a new…

Findings of a study that describes restructuring efforts undertaken by state education agencies (SEAs) are presented in this paper. Data were collected through telephone interviews with SEA officials in 24 states that were actively engaged in restructuring and analysis of SEA documents. Factors that contributed to restructuring included the place…

The kinds of school choice programs and the processes by which they became legalized in Minnesota are discussed in this paper. The first part reviews reasons for restructuring American schools. The second part describes how the Minnesota education system moved changed in the following areas: from a single delivery system to community education;…

The nation's Governors resolved to lead restructuring efforts in their states as part of their commitment to achieve the national education goals by the year 2000. States are experimenting with a range of approaches to restructuring, depending on their resources, demographics, governance structures, and traditions. This report describes states'…

States are in the leadership position to effect pervasive and comprehensive changes needed in the educational system. There exist five key dimensions for analyzing initiatives resulting in systemic changes: (1) infusiveness, building upon existing knowledge; (2) pervasiveness, effecting improvements in all key components of the system, including…

Descriptive information on open enrollment/choice programs in a variety of states is provided in this report. Following an introduction, key program components are discussed, which include transportation, information, and funding issues; state guidelines for student acceptance; and athletic recruiting. Private school issues are examined in the…

This second annual report card on the status of Oregon public education describes the implementation of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. Information is presented in the following areas--school finance, staff characteristics and salaries, student demographics and achievement, student participation in programs and services, and…

This paper examines how school restructuring can be promoted by agencies outside the school. The first part posits a framework for designing and analyzing external strategies to promote school restructuring. This framework distinguishes between strategies that are: (1) intended to initiate versus support school restructuring; (2) comprehensive…

The status of Indiana public education for 1990 is described in this report. The A+ Program for Excellence in Education has recently focused on the two following areas: school restructuring and early childhood assistance. Educational statistics for 1990 are highlighted, and information is presented on the following developments: the Center for…

This state report card monitors Oregon school district trends and measures student progress toward achieving goals of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. The highlights section outlines the major activities of the 1991-92 school year and discusses their implications. It also contains an overview of school and district numbers, a…

In the context of the growing challenges to public education that have materialized in California over the past decade, this first of two volumes is presented as a resource document for legislators and others interested in education reform. Volume 1 looks at emerging education issues for the 1995-96 legislative session and summarizes the state's…

This document provides updates on programs instigated by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. Individual sections present information on the following areas of educational improvement in the state: student performance assessment and accountability, early childhood programs, extended school services, primary school, professional development,…

To ensure that school districts and schools meet acceptable performance levels, many school districts and states have enacted various accountability policies. Two of the most controversial approaches to accountability are reconstitutions of schools and state takeovers of school districts and schools. For each approach, this policy brief presents…