Describes the efforts of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers' Articulation Committee to develop a statewide framework for foreign language instruction and testing for secondary and postsecondary programs through such activities as cooperation with state education agencies and universities, symposia, and reviews of relevant…

A trend away from state support of university research with commercial potential is noted, because of state budget restraints, changes in political leadership, and the belief that support of university research is not an efficient way to help businesses and create jobs. Cuts in specific programs in Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska…

Describes the development of the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS) for Public Library Data, a system that combines the annual collection of data from public libraries by state agencies with the reporting of national public library statistics by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Future plans are also discussed. (six…

Six papers on geographic information systems cover the future of geographic information systems, land information systems modernization in Wisconsin, the Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) System of the U.S. Bureau of the Census, satellite remote sensing, geographic information systems and sustainable development,…

Describes North Dakota's family transportation program, which subsidizes parent-provided transportation as an alternative to school bus transportation. Reports on surveys of administrator and parent attitudes. Discusses potential cost savings and potential problems with insurance, tardiness, and increased student parking. (SV)

Assesses the effectiveness of a local antismoking contest in Bloomington (Minnesota) that was coordinated with a statewide campaign. Interviews were conducted with 218 local and 198 statewide participants. Finds that the local contest had a higher impact than the statewide contest. (FMW)

Discusses the problem of teenage pregnancy in the United States as a major factor in the creation of an American underclass in a cycle of dependency. Describes legislation, programs, and proposals in the state of Missouri which attempt to address this problem. (SR)

A universal work force preparation strategy should recognize connections between (1) welfare recipients and working poor people; (2) middle-class workers and the skilled worker shortage; and (3) top, middle, and entry-level labor force. The strategy must address both the entry of welfare recipients into the labor force and the serious shortage of…

Describes the development and operation of the teaching-consultation program of the University of Kentucky Community College System. This program provides faculty members with an opportunity to analyze their teaching behavior and make changes by working with full-time faculty colleagues who act as consultants. (DB)

A study examined the rate of participation of Hawaiian students with disabilities in state-wide assessments in grades three, six, eight, and ten. Results found that roughly 64% of all students with disabilities were assessed in 1995. Most students who were excluded from testing were those with severe disabilities. (Author/CR)

Indiana is moving ahead to develop standards and tie them to the vocational curriculum. The state's Essential Skills and Technical Proficiencies Initiative is considered a leader among skill standards efforts. (Author/JOW)

Notes that California undertook a new commitment to improve the basic reading skills of its elementary students; lists several components of this commitment, the "California Reading Initiative." Describes the state's definition of a balanced and comprehensive approach to reading. Argues that independent reading is a crucial component and…

Evaluated the effect of the League of Professional Schools, a democratic reform in Georgia, using performance measures from the state's educational performance measurement system. Performance of League schools was positive relative to several performance standards, but it was not possible to demonstrate that the League was a necessary component of…

Examines how states are handling aged, overcrowded, and obsolete school facilities. Includes interviews with the directors of facility programs in Arizona, Ohio, and West Virginia to see what works and what doesn't work in state-run programs that seek to strike a balance between state money and local control. (GR)

The phasing out of the Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument (TPAI) in Georgia is described, with particular attention to litigation involving a teacher who lost her certificate after failing the TPAI. Other reasons for phasing out the TPAI are discussed. (SLD)