Explains numerous reasons for ever-increasing school costs, including court decisions involving busing, private school aid, education of illegal aliens' children, bilingual and second-language programs, and use of school facilities. Federal and state legislation and regulations and societal demands (for afterschool care and security systems) have…

The most likely legal issues to arise concerning charter schools include teacher employment and qualification issues, liability concerns, special-needs student issues, due process, religious issues, and contract rules. School leaders can head off problems by clarifying who is in charge, spelling out the mission statement, and dealing up front with…

The impact of the 1985 Illinois seat belt law is explored using Box-Jenkins Auto-Regressive, Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA) techniques and monthly accident statistical data from the state department of transportation for January-July 1990. A conservative estimate is that the law provides benefits of $15 million per month in Illinois. (SLD)

This review of Canadian research and practice in learning disabilities notes large differences between provinces in policy and legislation, and considers implications of Canada's having two official languages, the large multicultural community, and the special needs of the native population. Strengths and needs of Canada's service delivery system…

A recent Ontario law concerning regulation and coordination of allied health professions has focused attention even more sharply on quality of dental education, and makes development of standards of practice more urgent. Dental educators can assist by researching health care needs, synthesizing information, and helping to write guidelines. (MSE)

Lack of self-esteem is the root of many social problems. The California Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem and Personal and Social Responsibility has made several recommendations to promote self-esteem as a social vaccine against the problems besetting minority and urban families. (SLD)

Discussion of a ruling allowing state agencies to deny new educational loans to students with previous loans discharged in bankruptcy looks at the intent behind the Bankruptcy Code, specifically concerning the nature of educational loans and the "fresh start" policy. Potential conflicts between the state and federal statute is also…

Since 1989, the Chicago Public Schools have been undergoing a major restructuring that has shifted responsibility for running schools from the central board and administrative staff to local school councils comprised of lay people. The reform legislation aimed to raise achievement, attendance, and graduation rates to national norms. On these three…

Two Pennsylvania school districts have been simultaneously declared financially "distressed" and are operated by a court-appointed board of control. Describes legislation drafted to statutorily establish an early warning system so that the state can assist districts with management and budgeting advice before it becomes necessary to…

Montana's Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Council reorganized into five regions to address diversity of needs in large geographic areas. Descriptions, needs assessment, regional activities to meet staff development needs, and use of the training-for-trainers model are reported for each region. Results of statewide and regional…

Examined how special-interest groups influence policy formulation at the state level. Researchers interviewed 46 legislators and lobbyists to trace behind-the-scenes decision making, as the Texas Legislature hastily (and misguidedly) crafted an omnibus bill with a per-pupil spending change encouraging the mainstreaming of severely disabled…

By statutory mandate, all first-year teachers in Kentucky receive support and assistance that develop a strong, lifelong career foundation. Legislation in 1985 established a collegial team to induct new professionals and establish a culture of continuing growth for the profession. Internships with meaningful mentoring are keys to success. (MLH)

Examines the origins of Tennessee's Project Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) and explores what it was about Tennessee in the mid-1980s that fostered the development of this experimental approach to class size. Highlights the connection between the research world and the political world that resulted in the STAR project. (SLD)

In the five years since most states passed zero-tolerance legislation, results have been moderately successful. Such policies can work under four conditions: clear consequences for misbehavior, collaborative development by all stakeholding agencies, knowledge of other states' experience, and integration of sequential and comprehensive…

Surveys high school newspaper advisors, finding remarkably similar attitudes, in states with scholastic freedom of press laws and states without such laws, regarding scholastic press freedom, the way they exercise their duty in overseeing the newspaper, censorship and self-censorship, and controversy over newspaper content. Finds differences in…