This is a description of the University of Bridgeport's (UB/Connecticut) drug and alcohol abuse prevention standards and resources for students and employees. Described first are UB standards of conduct for students regarding controlled substances and alcohol. Included here are policies on the right of staff to inspect dormitory rooms, off campus…

This booklet presents information about the financial support authorized for libraries and library systems in Chapter 917 of the "Laws of 1990" and advocated by the Regents of the State University of New York for the state's library systems. It is noted that, although Chapter 917 provides for increases in library aid of $5 million each…

This newsletter issue focuses on the educational and civil rights of children and youth with disabilities, through the age of 21. The primary focus is on the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), its subsequent amendments (Public Law 98-199 and Public Law 99-457). In October, 1990, this law was amended by the Individuals…

Competency testing often refers to a system devised to assure successful performance on a specific test, in addition to other mandated criteria as a requisite to obtaining a high school diploma. Minimum competency testing is usually defined in one of two ways: as the acquisition of basic skills or as the demonstrated ability to apply basic skills…

This memorandum addresses the responsibility of State Education Agencies (SEAs) for insuring that local educational agencies do not violate students' civil rights. The SEA's duty is said to arise from two sources. First, in most if not all States, State law mandates that State education officials supervise and regulate the conduct of local school…

Most employees in the United States are employees at will--they can be fired for any or no reason. In one exception to this rule, however, federal or state statutes protect employee expression, most significantly in the area of private employee testimony. The protective schemes developed by Congress and the state legislatures are of two types:…

This book is in the form of a bibliographic essay, and addresses the needs of educators seeking access to legal research materials. The first item discussed is court decisions and examples are given which demonstrate the importance of legal precedent. An explanation is given of the complicated systems for reporting court decisions and how the…

Options and suggestions for setting up successful study commissions were gathered from 10 commissions that had recommended revisions of state educational policy on a variety of issues. Composed of respected citizens from across the state, each task force was created by the governor or legislature for a fixed duration. Some recommendations for…

Legal protection against employment discrimination is being provided for handicapped workers through the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 along with individual State laws. Successful affirmative action programs will require careful attention by rehabilitation professionals to guarantee proper utilization of the skills of the handicapped…

A Montana legislative committee surveyed the vocational education system in the state in order to draw up resolutions for legislation changing some of the administration and funding of the postsecondary part of the vocational system. This report presents an overview of the vocational education system, including the following: (1) a review of…

The homeless mentally ill, numbering approximately 300,000 persons, are a group neglected and forgotten by society. While deinstitutionalization promised a bright future, the necessary, long-term support to implement deinstitutionalization never materialized. Government policies have helped produce problems that encourage recidivism and…

In July 1987, North Carolina enacted legislation to provide funds for public school construction. This document defines and describes the educational spaces needed to support a comprehensive educational program and to set minimal standards for types of spaces and for sizes of spaces. Standards, comments, and recommendations are provided for the…

Wisconsin has a local options competency-testing policy for public schools: participating districts receive state assistance, but are subject to regulations on test development and use. This paper examines influences on school district program adoption, focusing on local support for any testing program and superintendents' attitudes toward state…

This survey gathered data from 36 state directors of special education as well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and American-controlled principalities regarding their area's regulations (or lack thereof) for reduction of class sizes in regular education classes when disabled students are mainstreamed into those classes. Only Massachusetts and…

This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of a Minnesota panel commissioned to find ways to: increase awareness of appropriate technology for persons with disabilities; provide access to appropriate technology-based products and services; and fund research and development in this field. The executive summary provides a definition of…