A recent study (Cook, 1989) involving 58 randomly selected South Carolina elementary schools indicated that none of these schools could be characterized as having an "open climate." This paper suggests that this situation may have its origins in the educational reform movement of the 1980s, first ignited by the publication of "A…

California's 50% law requires that at least half of a community college district's expenditures per fiscal year be spent on instructional costs. These costs include the salaries of certificated instructors, salaries of such classified instructional personnel as aides and assistants, and employee benefits. A district's general expenditures include…

This guide to the administration of the Library Systems Act for the State of Texas begins by presenting the text of the Library Systems Act. The relevant regulations from the Texas Administrative Code are then provided, covering such topics as standards for accreditation of a major resource system of libraries, minimum standards for accreditation…

In California, the desire to do something about child abuse, fanned by repeated and often sensational media coverage, has led to an understandable but counterproductive overreaction on the part of professionals and citizens reporting suspected child abuse. Child protective agencies receive an average of one report a minute. There are over 300,000…

This report outlines state legislative initiatives to develop family-based child welfare public policy. Emphasis is placed on legislation to ensure that "reasonable efforts" are made to reduce the need for out-of-home placement of children. Also included is an update of state implementation of permanency planning initiatives related to agency…

This handbook is designed to assist schools in organizing and managing an effective school improvement council. It is divided into six sections. Section I describes the benefits of a school improvement council from the perspective of the school district, parents and citizens, teachers, the school administration, and students. Section II provides…

The passage of the Jarvis-Gann initiative (Proposition 13) in California made it illegal for community colleges to tax local homeowners for the purpose of increasing revenue. The impact on the colleges of decreased local revenues was drastic, though less than had been predicted. In 1979, the districts received funding which was 85% of the level of…

The booklet is intended to aid educators and parents in the planning, development, and evaluation of differentiated curricula for gifted and talented students. A rationale for gifted/talented education is provided which stresses such principles as: "Equal does not mean the same" and "Ceilings are for rooms, not people." The…

This report describes the activities of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Health and Long-Term Care in its effort to examine abuses in the sale of nursing home insurance. Earlier Congressional studies of abuses in the sale of health insurance to the elderly are discussed as background material for the present…

The paper explores policy options for beginning, expanding, or establishing services for disabled and at-risk infants and toddlers in a state. An initial section outlines characteristic advantages and drawbacks of options in three areas: legislative action (mandatory, phase-in, and non-mandatory legislation), executive action, and interagency…

This report contains findings of a nationwide study of youthful offenders tried in adult courts. Data were gathered from more than 3,000 counties for the year 1978. The report is organized into six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the study and explains its methodology and the background of the problem (covered in more detail in Appendix A). Chapter…

In response to Illinois's consolidation of all elections, this handbook aims to assist school board secretaries in coordinating election duties and responsibilities with local election authorities. The handbook comprises 13 sections. Section 1 defines 11 election consolidation terms. Section 2 explains how specific elections are scheduled, and…

As part of a series on the legal and governmental foundations governing education of handicapped and gifted children, the booklet focuses on the provision of developmentally appropriate services to handicapped infants and preschool age children and their families. An initial section reviews the literature on the benefits of early intervention in…

The report evaluates Iowa's reorganization of mental health and mental retardation (MH/MR) services. Evaluation methods include a policy analysis of legislation, interviews with agency staff and consumer representatives, review of MH/MR Commission and Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council meetings, an opinion survey of county auditors, and…

The six chapters of the Texas Library Systems Act are presented in this document together with revised standards for accreditation of system components adopted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission on February 28, 1985. The Library Systems Act covers: (1) General Provisions, including definitions; (2) State Library System, including…