Describes Ohio's efforts (including supplemental state legislation) to implement the new federal legislation on handicapped children and points out implications this legislation may have for all education in the areas of parental involvement and individualization of instruction. (IRT)

Since the state of Florida enacted stricter academic standards for high schools, the dropout rate has increased and middle schools have suffered. Funds formerly intended for elementary and middle schools are being used to sustain high school reform programs. School reform at one level has serious implications for other levels. (MD)

Educational reforms rest on a true need and a fiscal capacity to finance them. Poorer states already making a substantial tax effort are especially vulnerable. Maine's reform package is based not on across-the-board teacher salary increases, but on increase in year-round professional earnings. Includes 2 tables, 2 figures, and 10 references. (MLH)

Difficulty passing referenda to authorize school bonds necessary for important school capital purposes prompted New Jersey to enact legislation to authorize a school district to acquire a site and school building by lease purchase agreement. Advantages, disadvantages, and voter attitude are discussed. (MLF)

A study of New York proprietary schools estimated the cost of state regulations to proprietary schools and the impact of attending these schools on students' incomes. The results are intended to persuade states to limit regulation of proprietary schools and to provide consumer information on proprietary school outcomes. (CH)

A study investigated whether legislative intrusions on institutional autonomy have increased by examining all higher education acts passed during 1900-1979 in Washington, Idaho, Tennessee, and New Hampshire. One quantitative and one qualitative measure of change were used. Overall, no significant change in legislative stance toward institutional…

Outlines California's major educational reform legislation during 1980's and describes a Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) study of policy implementations. Results show that nearly all schools correctly implemented key provisions of S.B. 813, that state level reform can be effective when accompanied by cohesive local strategizing,…

In general, because of varying federal and state legislation and a paucity of court decisions, the law governing the recording of conversations is in considerable flux. School personnel desiring to record conversations in school without the consent or knowledge of all parties involved must proceed with considerable caution. (Author)

Describes a training program that can provide volunteer child advocates with effective techniques for organizing, assessing, and gathering data on relevant public policy; educating others; winning public officials to their aims; and evaluating how enacted legislation affects children. (Author/HOD)

States are being urged to require non-profit organizations including colleges and universities to take greater responsibility for those who raise funds in their name, and to report their fund-raising activities in much more detail. In the past, colleges have been exempted from such laws. (MLW)

Discusses a national survey of state directors of community college education, which examined state legislation affecting community colleges. Examines trends toward the formation of a public policy framework for economic development. Summarizes findings with respect to legislative actions affecting groups, programs, structures, incentives, and…

Presents the results of two surveys, undertaken in 1984 and 1985, which were designed to assess the status of social studies in the United States. Results show a great diversity of practices along with varying degrees of state power and influence over the local curriculum. (JDH)

Describes the concept of comparable worth, discusses opposing views concerning whether inequities in pay are results of discrimination, considers efforts to determine the comparability of jobs, including teaching, notes the possible impact of implementing comparable worth legislation, and cites developments in state legislation and local school…

How alumni can strengthen a government relations program is discussed. Any government relations program tries to communicate higher education's importance to the economic and social growth of both the state and the country. No group can be more effective than alumni in promoting higher education as a political priority. (MLW)

Senate Bill 813, the broadest and most expensive school reform bill in California's history, is anchored in a set of seriously flawed assumptions about teaching, schooling, and the role of the state in generating change. (Author/DCS)