This report discusses the outcomes of a survey that investigated data collection efforts of state special education dispute resolution contacts in all 50 states. Results indicate that all states maintain some level (directly or through contractual arrangements) of basic information on the number and location of formal complaints, mediations, and…

This final report discusses the findings of a study that investigated the extent to which severe and/or high cost disabilities are evenly or unevenly distributed among the population of special education local plan areas (SELPAs) in California, and if the population-based special education funding formula should be adjusted. Results of the study…

The National Forum on Family Literacy was convened to encourage and facilitate collaboration among programs at the state level to improve the quality of family literacy services. This forum provided an opportunity for state-level representatives of Head Start, Even Start, Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiatives, and Adult Education to…

Over the past five and one-half years, the Idaho Educational Technology Initiative has distributed 56 million dollars to Idaho public schools. This report reviews the progress made toward accomplishing goals established by the Idaho Council on Technology in Learning (ICTL). It is based on data collected during visits to 36 schools in 16 school…

Recognition of the link between child care and the success of welfare reform has given rise to questions about how states are spending child care funds provided through Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). At the request of members of Congress, this report from the General Accounting Office…

This report examines policy issues related to the preparation of educators working with children who are blind or visually impaired. Forty-five state directors of special education were surveyed on the status of personnel serving children with blindness and low vision, recruitment and retention efforts, certification and credentialing, accuracy of…

This document comprises the 12 issues for 1999 of the "Child Support Report," which explores problems related to child support enforcement, reports on federal and state government child support enforcement initiatives, and summarizes research related to child support. Editorials and information on events and conferences of interest and…

The purpose of this report is to provide information about the level of student performance in the area of writing based on results for 1998-99 from the annual on-demand writing sample of the North Carolina Writing Assessment at grades 4, 7, and 10 (English II). It notes student performance increased at grades 4 and 7 when compared to student…

Alaska Goals 2000 is part of a coordinated, statewide effort to improve public education for all students in Alaska. In 1997-1998, 90% of Alaska's federal funding was used to fund grants to local school districts, and 10% was used to fund state-level activities through the Alaska Department of Education. During 1997-1998, curriculum frameworks and…

School choice is in high demand and growing. Twenty years ago, few states had policies or programs allowing parents the freedom to make choices in their children's education. Today, 11 states and the District of Columbia have state-funded scholarship programs or provide tax relief for education expenses or contributions to scholarship funds. Most…

Americanism embraces the ideals of the good citizen in political, social, economic, and cultural relationships. The definition and interpretation of these ideals determine the scope of one's understanding of the movement of Americanization; that is, those programs and activities that aim to promote Americanism. It is commonly understood that…

This article cites some of the objectives for global education advocated by national organizations, professional associations, state departments of education, and other groups which have become involved in the field. A widely circulated list concerning student competencies that schools should seek to instill for good citizenship in a global age is…

Focuses on the role of the state speech association in improving the teaching of oral communication skills in the K-12 curriculum. Describes the cooperative projects developed by the Illinois Speech and Theatre Association, with the Illinois State Board of Education, as an example of how state associations can become involved. (PD)

Analysis of states' utilization of large residential settings for individuals with mental retardation and related conditions found that some states with low use of large public facilities may actually have high use of large nonpublic facilities. A chart showing utilization rates by states for various types (public and nonpublic) of large settings…

Traces the evolution of the state geography standards in Rhode Island and gives a summary of the work accomplished thus far toward implementing the National Geography Standards. Profiles several state and local initiatives and discusses the Standards that they represent. (MJP)