Analyzes survey data from randomly selected schools to investigate Oregon educators' attitudes toward mandated reforms, forces shaping these attitudes, and resultant changes in educational practices. Teachers' attitudes toward systemic reform over a 5-year period may be characterized as ambivalent and their behaviors as compliant. Workload was a…

After the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in favor of reimbursing 84 plaintiff school districts for special-education expenses, the governor vetoed parts of the $304.6 million State Aid Act, including $250,000 for at-risk programs. Three November 1997 bills restored at-risk and special-education funding while "freezing" the foundation…

Introduces the description of a performance-based pay plan developed and implemented in Brevard County, Florida, in response to recent Florida legislation. The voluntary plan includes options for teachers and an approval process that uses input from School Advisory Councils in each building. (SLD)

Describes the pay for performance program of the Brevard County, Florida, public schools, focusing on the issues involved in negotiating new pay plans, the development of Brevard county's compensation plan, and future directions for negotiating teacher compensation. The Brevard County plan contains options for teachers (professional development…

Reviews two approaches to educational finance reform: one state-initiated (Indiana's 1993 problem-driven school-funding formula), the other federally initiated (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Applies lessons from these two approaches to current state efforts to reform local public schools. (Contains 16 references.) (PKP)

Discusses recent school finance litigation and legislation in Ohio resulting in school finance reform with an emphasis on educational adequacy. Focuses on the politics of school finance reform. (Contains 41 references.) (PKP)

Describes how the faculty of the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach, developed an academically rigorous, hands-on teacher credentialing program, with guaranteed results, to meet the demand created in July 1996 when the governor proposed an immediate reduction in class size to a 20-to-1 student/teacher ratio for grades…

Describes several prominent early grades small-class-size projects and their effects on student achievement: Indiana's Project Prime Time, Tennessee's Project STAR (Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio), Wisconsin's SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) Program, and the California class-size-reduction program. Lists several conclusions,…

Examines the role that policies concerning curriculum, professional development, and mentoring in two reform-active districts played in shaping the experiences and concerns of two first-year language-arts teachers. Finds that the two districts served powerful roles as teacher educators, even if the first-year teachers are only dimly aware of…

Analyzes current and proposed federal and state civil laws to better understand their potential impact on children affected by domestic violence. Considers legislation and policy trends related to domestic violence, child custody and visitation, child protection systems, welfare reform, and immigration. (Contains 100 references.) (SLD)

Since 1990, 101 bills encouraging or mandating phonics instruction have been introduced in state legislatures; 28 have been enacted. Phonics bills tend to be introduced by Republican legislators and promoted by Christian Right individuals and organizations as the only spiritually and educationally sound reading instruction method. (Contains 129…

Reviews federal and state legislation affecting adult literacy education. Describes policy interpretation and implementation issues that affect the delivery of education. (SK)

Reviews 1997 school finance legislation, comparing legislative activity levels from 1994 to 1997. In 1997, 32 states passed legislation pertaining to capital-outlay funding, tax bases, and taxation for education funding. Half passed legislation for state aid, technology, special-purpose education, budgeting/fiscal management, and school personnel…

Examines the flexibility and accountability standards of the North Carolina charter school laws compared with the charter school legislation of Arizona and California. North Carolina's charter school legislation seems to have the flexibility charter school advocates would wish, with the necessary accountability requirements. (SLD)

School business administrators are devoting a significant portion of their time to retirement-related issues. Describes the retirement systems in place in Illinois and provides some budgeting examples for retirements and early retirements of school district personnel. (MLF)