In 2013, the Texas Legislature gave the state commissioner of education the broad statutory authority necessary to close poor performing public charter schools. Since then, the commissioner has vigorously exercised this new authority, preparing the way for the state to shift its resources away from enforcement and toward creation and support of…

One of a series of reports concerning state policies and practices in child care and early education, this report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions during 1998. The report is intended to serve as a supplement and companion to the more comprehensive information presented in "State Developments in Child Care and Early…

Decentralization is arguably one of the most important phenomena to come on to the educational planning agenda in the last 15 years. Why a country should decentralize its educational decision-making process and which decisions should be decentralized are two questions that many decision-makers raise. This booklet is intended to provide educational…

This guide explains Alberta's Program Unit Funding, a means to provide individual programs to supplement support for young children (ages 2.5 to 6 years) with severe disabilities. This program requires development of an Individualized Program Plan for each child and an individual budget plan submitted each school year. After an overview, sections…

Today, a parent's right to choose a private education for his or her children is reflected in the statutes of all 50 states. State regulation of private schools, however, is not without limitations. The challenge to state legislators in regulating private schools is to draft legislation that: (1) respects the fundamental right of parents to direct…

This paper analyzes data from a 1998 survey of state academic officers that covered state policies related to distance education technology. Concerning general planning issues, the survey found most respondents rated "overall coordination and planning" as highly important, and that 22 states have a formal technology plan in place (Web…

This document contains the definitions and elements of institutional cost and funding formulas recommended for Texas public universities, health science centers (nursing faculty salaries only), and public two-year institutions in fiscal years 1998 and 1999. Texas public institutions of higher education will use these formulas to make their…

This policy brief reviews relationships between state special education funding formulas and placements in which children with disabilities are served, specifically compliance with mandates for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Data analyzed were for the school year 1992-93.…

This document is intended to assist local school personnel with the implementation of the Virginia State Standards of Quality requirements and regulations governing educational services for gifted students. Preliminary sections present a rationale for the Virginia Plan for the Gifted, a statement of goals, and a definition of giftedness (including…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care, early education, and school-age care issues during 2001. It is intended to serve as a supplement to "State Developments in Child Care, Early Education, and School-Age Care 2000" and various reports published on this issue between 1997 and 1999. Information…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care and early education issues during 2000. The information in the report was collected by means of written and telephone surveys with advocates or state child care administrators in each state. The final draft was reviewed for verification by advocates or a state child…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care and early education issues during 1999. It is intended to serve as a supplement to "State Child Care and Early Education Development: Highlights and Updates for 1998" and "State Developments in Child Care and Early Education 1997." The information…

This legislatively mandated study is an outgrowth of California's new special education finance law that changed the basis of special education funding to a census system based on the total number of students enrolled in a school district. The study interviewed program directors, school administrators, and policy advisors on whether the state…

The Virginia regulations for special education have been designed to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Virginians with Disabilities Act. Part 1 presents definitions of 80 terms. Part 2 considers responsibilities and functions of…