School board members can be more effective by following four rules: count their votes, comply with open meeting laws, live with press scrutiny, and learn the art of political decision making. (MD)

The elements leading to the establishment of the Ohio Board of Regents and the 10-year progress of state action as an agenda item in Ohio's public higher education are charted according to the Cobb and Elder model of participation in politics. (MSE)

The Georgia General Assembly in 1985 set up a matching gift program called the Eminent Scholars Program in which state matches dollar for dollar the income generated from gifts given specifically to endow chairs and professorships. The program in both Georgia and Florida are described.

The impact of Georgia's recent imposition of subject-oriented admission requirements on the University of Georgia starting in 1988 is discussed, and the standards are applied to a sample of 100 current students in both strict and liberal interpretations to determine the degree of current compliance or deficiencies. (MSE)

Examines some of the legal and practical matters involved when school boards adopt a policy giving competitive bid preferences to state and local vendors and contractors by penalizing the bids submitted by nonresident firms. (MLF)

Describes current attempts to legislate a requirement for schools to teach creation and evolution in South Carolina. Implications for this movement for the entire nation are discussed. (SL)

Reviews numerous state court cases involving school attendance laws and home instruction of school-age children by their parents. Discusses legal standards for judging the adequacy of home instruction and for determining whether the burden of proof lies with the parents or with the state. (JG)

In the ongoing struggle to provide low-income children with quality child care environments, National Association of Child Advocates (NACA) member Rhode Island KIDS COUNT has helped to establish the Rhode Island Child Care Facilities Fund (RICCFF). Helping child care providers to help themselves, the fund provides assistance in the form of…

This report presents an overview defining what constitutes a charter school and how the existing 22 charter schools in Indiana are funded. 36 charter schools have been approved in Indiana as of Spring 2005. Of these, 22 schools have already begun operating, 10 are slated to open in the coming years, 2 have been closed down before they opened, and…

This guide provides information on the following resources available to the homeless in Iowa: (1) Funding Sources for School District Programs Serving Homeless Students; (2) Local Educational Liaison for Homeless Children and Youth; (3) Homeless Advisory Committee; (4) Identification, Counting, and Maintaining Data at the Local School District…

In 1999, Illinois enacted a tuition tax credit program. Tax credit supporters suggest tax credits help low-income students. However, opponents argue that they disproportionately benefit higher-income families whose children are already attending private schools and may decrease already limited resources available to public schools. New data from…

The objective of this work is to provide transfer students with a pathway that will prepare them in the same manner as direct entry students for a specific major at any public baccalaureate institution in the state, and for any of the independent institutions that wish to join the agreement. Wherever possible, the work groups were encouraged to…

The Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 (KERA) is one of the most comprehensive education reform efforts attempted in the United States. This document presents an overview of factors leading to KERA's passage, its accomplishments, and areas in need of improvement. The conditions leading up to passage of KERA included disparities across Kentucky…

This publication provides information for intervention and prevention services concerning sexual harassment and sexual discrimination in schools. It is especially designed for student services professionals and includes national and state laws, suggestions for how to work with students, and strategies for protecting employees and students. Chapter…