So much effort has been expended in identifying competencies needed for entry-level jobs, developing career ladders, and conducting task analyses that distributive educators, as other educators, have addressed consumer skills only slightly. Educators must help students develop those consumer survival skills, knowledges, and attitudes that will…

Briefly reviews 18 recent court cases relevant to the broad area of educational finance, including cases dealing with state school finance systems, assessment and distribution of property taxes, and provision of educational services to physically and mentally handicapped students. (JG)

When current fiscal data of New York State school districts are analyzed with information on pupil characteristics and staffing patterns, some policy issues are raised, including a mismatch between local district need and avaliable resources, shortchanging of New York City pupils, and a close relationship between local wealth and staff…

State boards of education are changing as state policy agendas are dominated by concerns about quality of education. Presents overview of recent trends in state involvement during the period the federal role in education has been shrinking. The impetus for education reform in the 1980s has come largely from outside educational community, resulting…

Amendments to many child abuse laws mandate the reporting by staff members of suspected abuse or neglect in out-of-home settings. This article discusses legal protections and potential liabilities for filing or failing to file such complaints. (Author/NH)

Banning school corporal punishment is supported as a step towards gradually eliminating all violent actions toward children. The 39 states that allow corporal punishment are encouraged to outlaw it, to teach children that it is not socially acceptable behavior and to set an example for families' child-rearing attitudes and practices. (JDD)

The California Legislature approved a bill to reform the state's community-college system by transferring most of the Legislature's power over the colleges to the state board that coordinates their governance. The bill also makes major changes in the colleges financing, the courses they offer, and the tenure process. (MLW)

Conflicts over authority between the California legislature and the University of California are examined. Compensatory strategies were adopted: authority was used in one area to gain control of a second. The outcomes of these conflicts and their policy implications for university independence and responsiveness are examined. (Author/MLW)

Describes the implementation of an information technology program designed to increase computer literacy of teachers and enable them to apply computer technology in the classroom. Traces development from introduction in state legislature to evaluation of the first year of operation. (JM)

In 1983, Massachusetts passed a law mandating that developmentally disabled students applying to state colleges and universities did not have to take standardized admission tests. An evaluation of the law's effectiveness and implementation indicates that other states should consider possible ramifications and confer with all concerned parties…

Using data from the 1800s, this article demonstrates how the study of state government actions vis-a-vis education can reveal a variety of useful insights on the politics of schooling and the ideology and structure of public education in the United States. (JDH)

California's efforts in recent years to strengthen education at all levels by statewide articulation and local and classroom reforms are outlined. Emphasis is on the need to strengthen teacher education by coordinating it more closely with other areas of higher education. (MSE)

Analyzes state and federal laws and court litigation bearing on legal issues arising from denial of education to New Jersey children in spouse abuse shelters. Includes an extensive bibliography and appendixes outlining guidelines for educating such children and delineating domestic violence shelter standards. (MD)

Analysis of changes in the graduation requirements, credit requirements, and curriculum in high school English in California since the adoption of minimum competency testing by state law during the 1976-77 legislative session suggests that statewide legislative mandates can have significant impact on school district programs and priorities. (PGD)