This report discusses the findings of a survey of the 50 states that investigated how state graduation requirements apply to students with limited English proficiency (LEP) and whether students with LEP receive a standard diploma upon completion of their studies or some type of modified exit document. Results found a minimum graduation requirement…

In response to new provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this issue describes the promising special education research that is helping all students participate successfully in large-scale testing programs. The first article, "State-Wide Assessment Programs," discusses the new provisions in IDEA that…

This report examines performance evaluations of state loan/scholarship programs and direct support for medical education reform programs for the education and training of health care professionals. It is based on a survey of all administrators of state scholarship and loan repayment programs and a mail survey of officials in the 34 states which…

Five issues of an adult basic education newsletter were developed and disseminated to more than 4,000 adult educators in Pennsylvania. The newsletters contained information appropriate to their professional development in a format and by a delivery method that would reach the large rural area of Pennsylvania and the large number of part-time adult…

The impact of 1996 federal welfare reform legislation on state work force development programs was examined through a study of work force development programs and policies in 13 states: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. The study focused on…

These guidelines help professional development chairs, administrators, and teachers collaboratively plan for the ongoing skill development and content acquisition of staff members. Section 1, "Missions, Mandates, and Regulations for Professional Development," describes the mission of professional development as supporting teachers in…

This report examines recent national and Illinois trends in college tuition and fees, instructional costs and state support, indicators of economic conditions and families' ability to pay for colleges, and student financial aid. It also includes general affordability goals for Illinois higher education and recommendations on keeping college costs…

This report was designed to examine access to postsecondary education and baccalaureate degrees in Florida and make recommendations to increase access opportunities for qualified students. It reviews state education policies concerning enrollment limits at state universities, admission criteria at state universities, admission to community…

This book contains 90 one-page project abstracts for adult basic education (ABE) in Pennsylvania. Each abstract contains the following information: project director's name, address and telephone number; products produced by the project; descriptors; and purpose, procedures, and summary of findings of the project. Projects are indexed by topics…

This report provides data on the State of Delaware's performance goals and indicators for children with disabilities, their participation in assessments, the rate of long-range suspensions and expulsions, and disproportionalities based on race in identification and placement. The report is intended to serve as a baseline for future reporting on…

A recent survey of state directors of adult education reveals that 31 states include distance learning as either a current initiative, or in a future plan, to provide education delivery to adult learners. Distance learning modes employ technology in four categories: computer, video, audiographic, and telephone. Distance learning for adult learners…

Although Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 percent among states on several key indicators of child well-being, the state's growing incidence of child maltreatment is stark and confounding. This report launches a state call to action aimed at ending child maltreatment through revising and strengthening systems to protect children, providing support…

This report from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) examines the status of publicly funded voucher programs, issues affecting the voucher movement, and program research. No legislature in the five member states served by SEDL has adopted vouchers, but several private programs are in place. Proponents claim vouchers offer an…

The Texas Education Code requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and propose alternative methods of assessment for students who have not passed the exit level test. The goal of this requirement is an alternative mechanism by which a student can demonstrate the knowledge and skills measured by the exit level test and thus earn a high…

In 1995, the North Dakota Head Start-State Collaboration Project (HSSCP) was initiated to create a statewide early childhood system to increase access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children. This report details the project's accomplishments over its initial 5-year period, emphasizing accomplishments of the final year.…