Researchers assembled a database of current and projected information on the following: welfare recipients; other female participants in the labor market; employment, occupational availability, and job openings; and occupational characteristics. The database was used in a multistep process to project the number of women forced to leave welfare…

The recent defeat of New York's statewide School Facilities Bond Act did not eliminate the pressing need for additional funds for school capital needs. This report discusses ways in which the state can meet these needs, shows how "backdoor" borrowing is not an acceptable method of financing school facilities needs, and describes methods…

To help New York's State Department of Education assess public school districts' energy conservation activities, the results of an audit of school districts' energy conservation activities are presented. The audit shows that most school districts have made some efforts toward energy conservation and that the Department does provide some assistance…

The sweeping changes of welfare reform embodied in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and which created the Child Care and Development Block Grant, raise many questions about how states will implement subsidy programs to help an increasing number of low-income families meet their child care needs. At the…

This digest examines the rural teacher shortage from a policy perspective and suggests strategies to address the problem. The rural teacher recruitment and retention problem varies across states. An adequate number of teachers are trained each year nationwide, but the problem is with distribution. Recent research on rural teacher recruitment and…

This report provides information about trends in educational telecommunications for 1996-97. The first section, "An Overview of Educational Telecommunications in the USA," presents a summary of trends in the following areas: the growth of telecommunications and distance education; leadership and governance in telecommunications development; the…

Work-based learning is a national educational initiative to provide avenues for all students to connect their educational goals and skills to occupational opportunities. The initiative's goal is to ensure a seamless transition from high school to meaningful, high-quality employment or further education. Mentors involved in work-based learning help…

A study reviewed recent trends, issues, and changes within the states related to the use of discrepancy formulas and other approaches for determining eligibility of students with learning disabilities (LD) for special education and related services. A survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia found they all have a statement in their…

This booklet provides basic information and guidelines to rural New York school districts competing for grants or other competitive funding. Section 1 examines new realities in the education landscape: the demand for higher academic standards, requirements for increased accountability, the call for systemic change, the need to integrate and align…

In this plan, the Florida Division of Library and Information Services (DLIS, also known as the State Library of Florida) defines future directions that will bring Florida's libraries into the 21st century. The introductory section, preceding the Plan, includes: methodology used to gather input for the plan; partners that assist the Division in…

This study examined the relationship between students' socioeconomic characteristics and qualification for a merit scholarship in a new, state-run program. The Michigan merit award scholarship program provides scholarships of up to $2,500 for students who score at Level 1 or 2 of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program High School Tests.…

This annual report describes the special education students, programs, funding, and special projects for the 2001-2002 school year in North Dakota. During the 2001-2002 school year, 13,997 students, ages 0-21, with disabilities received special education services in the state. Of these, 13,595 were served in public and private schools and 402…

A significant research base supports the positive benefits of quality early care and education (ECE) for later developmental and academic outcomes. Noting that many ECE settings are of mediocre quality and that quality of care is related to teacher/caregiver qualifications, this working paper examines states initiatives to improve the…

This document contains information about selected trends in higher education enrollment and finance in Connecticut. It opens with a summary of the state's operating budget for fiscal years (FY) 2003-2005. The report then examines higher education in a statewide context and general fund and operating budget expenditure trends. Comparative funding…

This publication provides an overview and discusses underlying issues of the college savings and prepaid tuition plans that are emerging in the states. Two papers offer different vantage points on college savings and prepaid plans in financing postsecondary education. The first paper, "The Evolution of State Plans" (Barbara M. Jennings),…