A survey of students in 125 randomly selected public high schools in Kentucky revealed minimal student involvement in school decision making. However, 77% of respondents would like to be involved. Principals surveyed closely supported students' views. Recommendations for principals and school councils are discussed. (MLH)

Analyzes six issues collectively addressed in school-finance-equity rulings by the supreme courts of New Jersey, Vermont, Ohio, and New Hampshire: responsibility for public education, court jurisdiction, constitutional definitions of an efficient/thorough education, district funding levels, state education-finance systems, and property-tax/funding…

Project Horizon, Utah's statute to reduce the economic and social cost of recidivism, shifted funding for correctional education to the state education agency. Parolees who participated in Project Horizon had an 18-20 percent lower recidivism rate than nonparticipants and found post-release jobs 89 percent of the time. (JOW)

Argues that immunizations are the most powerful and most effective way to prevent childhood infectious diseases. Presents immunization rates in Missouri and describes recent state legislation adding tetanus and pertussis to required immunizations for school attendance. Identifies factors contributing to Missouri's low preschool immunization level.…

Shares a letter the author (a professor emeritus of Language Arts education) wrote to her state assembly member in California in response to legislation, based on a very limited definition of reading, that imposed the use of phonics on school districts. Notes that the letter can serve as a model for other educators to respond to their legislator.…

Relates the history of restriction of access to the Aid to Dependent Children and Aid to Families with Dependent Children programs. Examines how intrastate and interstate policies affected the enactment of work requirements for aid. Shows that intrastate politics had the greatest effect, but that policies spread among states in similar situations.…

Examines on a state-by-state basis the degree of support for counselor legislative efforts offered by other mental health professionals. Looks at three dimensions: collaboration in creating counselor licensing or certification, collaboration in passing a counselor licensing or certifying bill, and legislative support for including counselors in…

The "boys will be boys" era is over. Districts must take two basic actions to establish schools that are free of sexual harassment: publish a written policy and provide training for students. This article explains California Code and Federal law requirements, the value of special curricula, and the need for maintaining confidentiality,…

Explores legislative conditions that promote charter-school autonomy, applying a conceptual framework of autonomy to assess variations among state charter-school policies. Results suggest that state policies offer different self-governance levels and thereby influence charter schools' innovative ability and performance potential. Variations are…

Looks at the current federal job training and workforce development structure and suggests that they have many problems. Also describes reforms passed by several states, notably Texas. Suggests that partnership between public and private sectors is crucial to develop and maintain a system that meets everyone's needs. (JOW)

State activism in school funding extends far beyond increasing states' percentage of public-school revenues. However, local districts' share of funding has fallen dramatically over the last 7 decades. Equity-, efficiency-, and liberty-enhancing goals are explained, along with assistance-oriented, persuasive, and regulatory policy approaches.…

Extensive review of the research literature on the impact of school finance litigation on finance reform. Classifies 200 studies reviewed into four groups: general literature, single-state studies, multi-state studies, and direct litigation-effect studies. Concludes that litigation contributed to higher levels of school funding. (Contains 113…

Compares state policies with accountability provisions of the newly reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (PKP)

Describes goals, advantages, standards, and missing components of state accountability systems. (25 references) (PKP)

Describes charter-school law in Texas, including sections authorizing open-enrollment charter schools. Reports on results of third-year evaluation of 89 open-enrollment charter schools. Evaluation includes student demographics and performance, parents, teachers, directors, revenue and expenditures, and the effects of charter schools on traditional…