Discusses reforms in adoption practice and policy to deal with the growing number of children who, because of age, health, or family background, are difficult to place with traditional adoption practices. Focuses on such reforms as open adoption, increased access to adoption records, and streamlined agency and court processes. (MDM)

Presents planning lessons from the Community Involved Charter School, a Jefferson County (Colorado) grassroots initiative. Planners should seek community involvement in envisioning the school; define roles for students, parents, teachers, and community members; decide how to administer the school; decide on specifics, such as school size; and seek…

A test that for a decade has been required of Florida college students before they can become juniors will, in 1996, become only one of four ways for students to demonstrate academic readiness. While some expect the change to reduce remedial enrollments, move students through college faster, and improve collaboration between public schools and…

Contains information to help child-care practitioners appropriately report child abuse. Addresses how to recognize and document abuse, what reporting abuse entails, and what happens after a report is filed. Contains state-by-state listing of abuse hotlines, sources for mandatory reporting laws, and resources such as telephone numbers and books.…

Criticizes California's Proposition 187 and the assertions underlying it, and discusses the implications of this legislation on future society. The article concludes with an outline of the legal hurdles Proposition 187 is facing and the potential consequences of this legislation for California. (GR)

For each of the 50 states, the outlook for higher education in the state legislature in 1992 is outlined. Information includes the date of the legislative session, budget request for higher education, prospects for the request, nonbudget issues likely to be considered, and issues specific to private colleges. (MSE)

Montana's school tobacco referendum includes youth in decisions regarding tobacco and health, demonstrating peer disapproval of tobacco use. The referendum, which asked students whether vendors should refuse tobacco sales to minors, follows the example of the Bozeman, Montana, school district in which secondary students and staff supported tobacco…

The Interim Financing Program in California allows school districts to sell tax-exempt obligations for approved school construction projects and obtain reimbursement from the state at some future date. (MLF)

To determine the effect on legislative decision making of five selected influences questionnaires were sent to members of the Virginia General Assembly (139 in 1986, and 140 in 1988). A response rate of more than 50 percent was achieved. On 22 of the 26 education-related bills studied, personal feelings were the most important influence. (seven…

Argues that contracting with private providers to educate students should be an option for school boards. Cites results from two surveys regarding whether school boards operated under powers enumerated in state law or under "broad powers" that gave boards more latitude in pursuit of defined goals. (MLF)

To eliminate mishandling of child abuse cases caused by a lack of interagency cooperation, the state of Georgia mandated that formal interagency committees be established. This article discusses the committees' activity levels and changes in organizational patterns brought about by the committee system. Offers insight into how nonfunded mandates…

Summarizes Kentucky's progress toward educational equity, concentrating on (1) the Kentucky Supreme Court's 1989 decision declaring the state's educational finance system unconstitutional and (2) a description and preliminary evaluation of the state's new four-part funding formula featuring pupil weighted averages for expenditure by wealth…

To increase understanding of the educational reform movement, the Center for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) embarked on a five-year study of the implementation and effects of state education reforms in six states (Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania) with diverse reform approaches. This article presents the center's…

Compares voter turnout in California school board elections when elections were scheduled in even-numbered years rather than odd-numbered years. Findings from selected school districts since 1985 show significant differences in voter turnout depending on the year: 43.85% voter turnout occurred in even-numbered years compared to 20.79% in odd. (GLR)

Support for Minnesota's cross-district public school choice laws is strong. In 1992, 76% of Minnesotans favored choice as 1 part of the comprehensive reforms needed. This article debunks seven widely circulated myths about the state's choice plans, particularly regarding program effects, benefits for disadvantaged students, parental selection…