This bulletin summarizes: (1) the Indiana law (HB 1360) that requires public schools to implement teacher performance evaluations as a condition of accreditation, (2) a recent study of teacher evaluation plans and techniques commissioned for the Indiana Department of Education by the Consortium on Educational Policy Studies at Indiana University,…

Examined are recent legislative initiatives related to the problem of adolescent pregnancy and parenting. A 50-state survey was conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and each state's legislative research agency provided information on bills and acts from the 1986 and 1987 legislative sessions, as well as programs and…

This brochure outlines the general provisions of the Personal Privacy Protection Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6-A, sections 91-99) which became effective on September 1, 1984, and is intended to protect each individual's privacy by regulating the manner in which the state collects, maintains, and disseminates personal information about its…

This brochure first discusses the make-up of the Committee on Open Government and its responsibility for overseeing the implementation of two laws: the Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, sections 84-90), which governs rights of access to government records; and the Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law, sections 100-111), which…

A national survey revealed that 13 states have created legislation to assist financially distressed schools. Focusing on two states, Indiana and Pennsylvania, the report outlines different methods they have developed to deal with financially distressed schools. In Pennsylvania a distressed school district is taken over by the state, whereas in…

The handbook outlines Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) rules regarding the education of handicapped students. A chart format is used to present applicable Federal regulations, state law, and SBOE rules. The following topics are among those considered under clarifications of definitions in federal regulations and state law: handicapped…

The regulation of nonpublic and public postsecondary institutions was studied by the North Carolina Legislative Research Commission. Attention was directed to the following concerns: whether regulation of all postsecondary degree-granting education is needed; whether regulation could best be provided by a governmental licensing process or by a…

The feelings that superintendents have about the methods used by school boards to evaluate their effectiveness may influence their motivation, relationship with the board, and organizational success. National studies reveal that 46.9 percent of superintendents have positive feelings, 18.3 have negative feelings, and 34.8 percent have neutral…

The final report describes major activities accomplished during the 1981-82 project year to develop a comprehensive plan in New York State for handicapped children, aged 3-5, and to accelerate services to handicapped infants through Regional Early Childhood Direction Centers (RECDC). Briefly discussed are the processes for the following outcomes:…

The California Achievement Test was administered to the students of the Mesa Public Schools in April, 1981, and again in April, 1982. This state-mandated test is administered to all students in grades 1 through 12. Although this report is directed toward the performance of Mesa students at the elementary level, a general overview of the…

Prepared by the Task Force on Library Legislation appointed by Wisconsin's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, this final report presents policy statements and action recommendations addressing issues related to the organizational and funding problems of public libraries, public library systems, and multitype library cooperation. The…

Summaries are presented of recent study reports on the current status of education in the United States: (1) "A Nation at Risk" (National Commission on Excellence in Education); (2) "Action for Excellence" (Education Commission of the States); (3) "Educating Americans for the 21st Century" (Commission on Precollege…

During fall 1987, the National Conference of State Legislatures contacted the education and higher education committee chairs in every state legislature to ask them about emerging issues. Financing education remains the paramount concern, and the teaching profession and governance are also guaranteed a place in legislative debate. Other areas…

This document provides an overview of home schooling in the United States that sets the context for a discussion of state regulation of home-schooling parents. The focus is on the nature and variety of statutes and regulations regarding home-schooling. The use of parents as teachers is discussed. Several generalizations concerning major…

The handbook contains State Education Department rules and regulations that govern speech-language pathology and audiology in New York State. The handbook also describes licensure and first registration as a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist. The introduction discusses professional regulation in New York State while the second…