Student achievement test results are the coin of the realm in educational accountability systems in the United States. For a number of years, both states and the federal government have relied heavily on tests to judge the quality of schools. The exact characteristics of the accountability systems have evolved over the years and vary a good deal…

In April 2004, the Governor's Commission on Higher Education and the Economy (CHEE) recommended that the Ohio Board of Regents submit a biennial report to the Governor and the General Assembly in connection with the budget process. This report is the second such report. The purposes of this report are to provide policy makers and the public with…

The history of intergovernmental relations in educational policy has been dominated by regulations, categorical programs, and technical assistance by higher levels of government to stimulate or require lower levels to make changes in policy and practice. This paper summarizes recent research collected by the Consortium of Policy Research in…

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 booklet contains information designed to familiarize personnel at charter schools in North Carolina with the financial services offered by the Division of School Business and the reporting requirements of the division. The division seeks to ensure fair and equitable distribution of and accountability for the optimal use of state and federal…

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) operates under two main statutory charges: to administer state and federal programs, and to serve as the state's lead agent in implementing the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. This report presents the results of a contracted program evaluation of the ODE. Data were collected through document…

Shifts in child care policies are on the horizon. Congress has passed landmark changes in federal welfare programs that will have a major impact on the demand for child care and require states to re-examine many of their current child care policies. This paper by the Children's Defense Fund is intended to help child care advocates understand the…

This study explored the university/state relationship during a time of teacher education certification reform at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Data for the study consisted of archival texts including elementary education area faculty meeting minutes and departmental memos, creating a case study of reform. Michel Foucault's notion of…

In order to develop a more uniform approach to determining the population of limited-English-proficient (LEP) individuals in the United States, and for purposes of educational decisions and resource allocation, the definition of this particular population is discussed in this theme issue. First, approaches currently used to estimate the size of…

This paper examines regulatory reform initiatives being considered and adopted in several states for the deregulation of academic program policies in public institutions of higher education. Many policymakers feel that academic program policies, which were designed to control growth and temper institutional aspirations, may instead hinder…

Under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), participating states and jurisdictions must provide services to children who are either experiencing developmental delays, or who have a diagnosed mental or physical condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay. Additionally, states may choose to…

The Early Childhood Development Communique articulated a commitment to increasing positive outcomes for children from birth to age 6 in Canada. Noting that owners and boards of child care programs are charged with providing a quality service to young children and their families, this discussion paper articulates the owners' and boards'…

This issue of "Exchanges" highlights a number of issues in the challenge to align appropriations, tuition and financial aid (AFTA) policy. Two distinct trends in the nature of the American student population are identified: significant demographic shifts and the emerging necessity of serving adult learners. These shifts are prompting…

This study assesses how much control governments of the Commonwealth of Nations (formerly the British Commonwealth) are exercising over their universities. The study encompassed a review of the relevant literature, an examination of the acts and statutes which control universities, and a questionnaire sent to 70 university vice chancellors, which…

This document contains regulations of the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education governing the education of children with disabilities. Statutory language is provided that addresses the following areas: (1) purposes of the legislation; (2) definitions of terms used in the statutory language; (3) local education agency…