Discusses the following aspects of child abuse laws and the policies derived from them: (1) vagueness of the laws; (2) implications for school policy and liability; (3) staff training requirements; (4) confidentiality; (5) protection teams; (6) abuse by school staff; (7) corporal punishment as abuse; and (8) prevention programing. (JS)

Points to an increased national awareness of the importance to society of provision for children's and families' needs. This awareness has resulted in new levels of legislative action. Discusses what Alaska has and has not achieved, cites movements in other states, and offers a call to vigorous action. (NH)

Regents are not provided with clear guidelines on the management of endowment funds. Trustees are advised to prepare an investment plan that includes: (1) specific long-term goals; (2) plans for performance measurement; (3) current income needs; (4) acceptable investment instruments; and (5) specific time tables for review. (MLF)

A sweeping parental choice bill passed recently in Minnesota spearheaded parental choice plans recently passed or under consideration in more than a dozen states. Explores the background and pros and cons of parental choice. (MLF)

Presents the first in a multi-part series of procedures on risk management of child abuse in child care settings. This part suggests steps in collecting information and clarifying circumstances. (BB)

The Minnesota Business Partnership (MBP) was studied as a policy innovator in state school reform (for kindergarten through grade 12) in relation to agenda setting, alternative formulation, and authoritative enactment. Focus is on the MBP's policy-making involvement during the 1985 state legislative session. Overall, the MBP's influence was…

True educational reform is the creation of a renewed identity at the school and classroom level when teachers and students interact in new, more productive ways. This article describes California's educational reform movement, presents evidence of successful change, and identifies where continued work needs to be done. (TE)

Arena models developed by T. Mazzoni relating to policy innovation are applied to the passage of open enrollment legislation in Ohio. The macro arena was relatively inactive, but a shift from the subsystem to the leadership arena occurred, partially validating Mazzoni's revised model. (SLD)

Examines case law as it has developed regarding the constitutionality of school vouchers under both federal and state law; discusses issues of federalism related to state constitutional provisions; and explores the emerging role of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (75 footnotes) (MLF)

Examines teacher reactions to an Oregon law designed to restructure public education around Certificates of Initial and Advanced Mastery. Over 2,000 educators in 92 schools completed surveys. Responses showed cautious support for reform ideas, tempered with skepticisms concerning implementation. Rural teachers were more critical of the plan. (50…

Questions whether William Rainey Harper was responsible for David Starr Jordan's and Benjamin Ida Wheeler's advocacy of the municipal junior college in California; whether Jordan and Wheeler introduced the idea to Senator Anthony Caminetti prior to his introduction of the bill permitting six-year high schools; and what constitutes sufficient…

Describes the national mood toward immigration as evidenced by the 1994 passage of Proposition 187 in California, and its effect on the community college mission. Reviews benefits and drawbacks of the measure for educational institutions and examines approaches to illegal immigration taken in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. (16…

Focuses on the issues that arise when school professionals are required to report child abuse and neglect. Reviews the duties and immunities arising under state reporting statutes and the reporting practices and perceptions of school staff. Recommends an increase in staff education and federal establishment of the scope of the definition of child…

Describes the cash award system Indiana developed to reward schools for relative improvement in language arts proficiency, mathematics proficiency, overall achievement performance, and attendance. The article looks at problems with the program, how the program was implemented, how money was used, and positive and negative rhetoric. (SM)

College administrators may use state and federal law and disciplinary policy to prevent selling and/or purchasing prefabricated term papers. The federal government may enjoin term-paper companies' activities involving use of the mails for fraudulent purposes. States may enjoin sale of term papers violating education or criminal codes. (MSE)