A pretest-posttest control group design was used to assess the leadership and problem-solving skills of 281 participants and 110 controls in a statewide community leadership development program. Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrate that the program has been a catalyst to influence leadership and problem-solving skills for community…

Recent winners of the John Cotton Dana Award were Brooklyn Public Library's "Fair Share for Brooklyn" program to reallocate funding and involve residents in the future of library services and the Indiana Library Federation's "Explore the Possibilities: Support Indiana Libraries" program, a statewide multimedia campaign to…

Discusses reasons for declines in community college foundation donations and other causes of financial problems. Considers ways of stopping the erosion of state community college funding, and ways resource development officers can nurture private sector ties. Describes state-level resource development for North Carolina's community colleges. (DMM)

This article discusses Part H of Public Law 99-457, which requires that each state provide a free, appropriate public education to all eligible handicapped infants and toddlers. The discussion covers the 14 points required in a comprehensive statewide early intervention system, administrative responsibilities, the eligible population, service…

The Public Policy and Public Schools Program was developed to educate urban, low-income parents about the administration, curriculum, organization, legal structure, and finances of their children's schools. The program has increased parental involvement in local boards of education, school committees, and advocacy groups. Sample program activities…

This article describes New Jersey's four Governor's Schools for gifted students in the sciences, public issues and the future, the environment, and the arts. The descriptions focus on program purposes, curriculum, faculty and staff, student recruitment and selection procedures, and program impact based on research with alumni. (JDD)

Summaries of the design, planning, and implementation of performance funding programs in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington reveal the challenges and opportunities of this reform approach. Performance measures and objectives and the history of the program in each…

Reports on a survey of state assessment directors (100% response rate) in 1994 documenting assessment policies and practices concerning English language learners (ELLs) within state assessment systems. In the 1993-94 school year, 17 states required students to pass one or more content-area tests to receive a diploma, testing ELLs in several ways.…

A study piloted a new approach to assessing the effects of changes in funding for state grant programs on college assistance. Analysis of Washington's state grant program indicates that an increase in state funds for need-based grants in 1993-1994 resulted in improved within-year persistence in public four-year universities. It is concluded that…

Louisiana's program of state merit scholarships, inspired by Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program, is over budget in its first year because lawmakers pushed to expand eligibility and data for estimating costs was inadequate. Critics find such programs often provide aid to families with little financial need. The program pays full tuition at state…

Reviews the history of Pennsylvania's higher education system since 1755. States that the Community College Act of 1963 imposed a funding system that has proved both inadequate and difficult to change and has discouraged the formation of new colleges. Discusses the current state of community college sponsorship, enrollment, funding, and outcomes,…

Explains problems with complex system of educational finance in California. Addresses issues such as diversity, per pupil expenditure, and equity at district and school level; problems with special education, pupil transportation, supplemental grants, and "mega-item;" and brief history of California's school financing--including Serrano…

A study examined the long-term (3 year) treatment outcomes of all adolescents (n=2,481) who received services in Vermont's statewide systems of care. Recipients of services had substantially elevated rates of incarceration and hospitalization but maternity rates in the treatment groups were not different from other young women. (Contains…

Describes South Dakota's Technology for Teaching and Learning Academy (TTL), a statewide program for teacher training opportunities to help integrate technology into the schools and to enhance students' educational opportunities. Discusses TTL objectives; evaluation results; and planned program refinement. (LRW)

Describes the role of South Dakota's governor in initiating technology plans for schools that would promote distance education. Discusses a conclave of leaders in technology and distance education that addressed the successful implementation of the Digital Dakota Network, a statewide intranet developed to help students, empower the workforce, and…