Along with the first federal republic in Mexico (1824), the first legislatures of each state included the promotion of public instruction among their functions. Through educators and books and other means of teaching, children and the young were expected to learn to live in a modern, civilized society. At the time, there was a death battle between…

This document contains recommendations made by the Wisconsin Juvenile Justice Study Committee. Created by the Governor and the Wisconsin State Legislature to study the effectiveness of the Children's Code and related issues, the committee recommended changes that would significantly alter the way Wisconsin treats young lawbreakers. To the primary…

This document is a compilation of state laws relating to Michigan libraries, intended as a tool for library managers and as an expression of continued commitment to strengthening library services throughout the state. It reprints legislation directly related to libraries of all levels, including: library networks; regional libraries: district…

This handbook was assembled to aid Michigan communities in the establishment of district libraries, or libraries formed by united efforts and resources of two or more municipalities. Two major areas are covered, establishment and funding. The "Establishment" section outlines steps involved in the process, sample resolutions of…

New digital technologies and the rapid growth of the Internet are restructuring communications systems and transforming education and the economy. Noting that many of the resulting telecommunications policies will be made at the state level, this publication provides guidelines for child advocates to influence state policy regarding children's use…

This survey examined the certification laws or plans for certification of public library personnel in the United States. Descriptions of state certification laws or plans were derived from state library manuals, from previous surveys, and from a telephone survey of representatives of state library agencies. Sixteen states have mandatory…

This report covers only the past year (1989) but the changes and events it describes began in August 1987 with the approval of the Local Government Records Law (Ch. 737, Laws of 1987), which took effect in August 1988. That law consolidated and updated New York's legal requirements pertaining to local government records management. It required…

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has developed and adopted regulations enabling teachers to design individual programs of professional growth on the basis of their goals and needs, and to establish a supportive network of professional growth advisors who will assist in planning programs that are consistent with teachers' goals…

This annual report of the Alaska State Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) cites activities and services of the PTPC as authorized by Alaska Statutes, Title 14, Chapter 20, Article 5, entitled "The Professional Teaching Practices Act." In general, the Commission deals with matters of ethical and professional standards of…

This annual report of the Alaska State Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) cites activities and services of the PTPC as authorized by Alaska Statutes, Title 14, Chapter 20, Article 5, entitled "The Professional Teaching Practices Act." In general, the Commission handles matters of ethical and professional standards of…

This "ERIC Digest" considers the U.S. charter-school movement, which has produced about 800 schools in half the states and enrolls over 100,000 students. Charter schools reflect founders' varied philosophies and commit to achieve certain educational outcomes within a certain period, in exchange for waiving many restrictive regulations.…

Due to legislative mandate, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) was required to develop a system (the Education Management Information System) that would increase the amount of information available to state-level policy makers and the public. Some recommendations for improving the function of EMIS are offered in this report. The text provides…

This text consists of numerous statutes selected by the Illinois Association of School Boards' staff for their relevance to public school governance and administration. The publication covers legislation enacted as of January 1, 1998, and includes a myriad of education-related topics. The bulk of the text focuses on schools themselves, featuring…

This paper examines the positive relationship that exists between Christian Right influence in state Republican parties and the introduction of phonics bills. Prior to 1990, phonics language appeared in the statutes of only three states: Arizona, New Mexico, and Ohio. Since 1990, 101 bills encouraging or requiring the use of phonics as a teaching…

A study examined ways that charter schools serve children with disabilities. This report provides the results of field-based data collection with parents, teachers, administrators, and students on how well charter schools are working with students with disabilities. It presents evidence on the reasons parents are enrolling students with…