A survey instrument was sent to state departments of education requesting information on: (1) teacher preparation in science and mathematics education; (2) teacher availability in these areas; (3) secondary science and mathematics curricula; and (4) recommendations for alleviating any shortages of mathematics and science teachers. Responses from…

This report of the Task Force on Teacher Education in Missouri focuses on producing a high-quality cadre of teachers. The report is organized around three themes: (1) supply and demand of teachers, teacher recruitment, and selective admission; (2) appropriate preservice preparation of teachers with academically rigorous teacher education programs;…

This chapter covers the nearly 230 cases reported in 1988 involving precollegiate, public-sector employees. Those cases where purely procedural issues are involved are omitted, and procedural issues in the remaining cases are deemphasized. As in previous years, the section on dismissal, nonrenewal, demotion, and discipline has the greatest…

This study identifies the current status of state policies on distance education in a sample of states and identifies changes in federal, state, and local roles in developing policies that may encourage more efficient and effective use of technology for distance learning. The study identifies and analyzes policies in key areas which are now, or…

An overview of educational reforms during the 1980s (1978-88) and their effects is presented for use by policy makers, practitioners, and interested citizens. The first section of this report, called "The Reforms of the 1980s", is based largely on a 50-state survey and a research report, both commissioned by the Educational Testing…

Michigan's response to the call for educational improvement is described. Included are a discussion of the historical background; a review of the state's response to reform demands; an explanation of pending and enacted proposals; a summary of reform activities across the country; and an analysis of the effectiveness of the reform efforts. A…

This is a report of a statewide study of kindergarten practices in North Carolina in 1988 which involved classroom observations (N=103 randomly selected classrooms) and questionnaires returned by 218 elementary school principals (an 86% response) and by 375 kindergarten teachers (an 81% response). Several questions were addressed by the study. (1)…

Public concern about the effectiveness of education institutions and the accompanying loss of public confidence in the nation's schools has revealed itself in a growing complaint that too many teachers cannot teach. This criticism, while not fully substantiated, has resulted in efforts to establish means for testing teacher competency, seen as one…

In an effort to gather information on the status of special education programs in rural areas, visits were made to 33 school districts in 14 states representing 4 different administrative organizations (intermediate school districts, cooperatives, county systems, single districts) and 5 geographical regions. School populations ranged from 850 to…

This report offers an extensive review of the current status of teacher education in Pennsylvania and the critical issues facing educators in that state. Research findings and studies by educators provided informed opinions and predictions on the following topics: (1) the characteristics of students K-12; (2) the characteristics of teacher…

Students at West Virginia University pursuing teaching certification in special education in the areas of mental retardation, learning disabilities, or behavior disorders complete a practicum experience. As many of the students are off-campus in rural areas and are employed full-time in teaching positions, a heavy demand was created for…

The report examines the status and needs of behaviorally handicapped students in Maine. It describes the referral and identification process, program characteristics, current problems and issues. The first section presents statistics related to prevalence, types of programs received, costs of special education, and the certification and supply of…

A survey of the medical technology profession in North Carolina was undertaken in 1981 by the North Carolina Area Health Education Center to promote statewide planning. One survey focus was institutional characteristics, including: current staff level, budget vacancies, qualifications to fill vacancies, number of resignations in the last year, and…

This chapter analyzes 1982 decisions involving legal issues in public school employment. Cases in areas of federal law are discussed first, including: discrimination in employment (race, sex, religion, age, and handicap); substantive constitutional rights (speech, association, and religion); and procedural due process (property interest, liberty…

This publication is a compilation of papers presented at the "Presidents' Conference on Excellence in Illinois Education." These conference proceedings outline the complex and difficult nature of the educational problems facing the state of Illinois and the nation as a whole. These papers, by presidents of universities in Illinois,…