This paper discusses the role of the courts in public policy formation, with particular attention to the impact of the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision in Robinson v. Cahill. The author explores the implications of judicial involvement in policy controversies by examining the responses of the New Jersey legislature and Department of Education…

Outlines educational, personnel, legal, and political considerations facing the Los Angeles Community College District contingency planning committee in their efforts to develop plans to meet budgetary limitations foreseen in the passage of the Jarvis-Gann property tax limitation initiative. (TP)

Some of the issues and trends that have concerned higher education officials and lawmakers in state legislatures are discussed, including prepaid tuition plans, taxes, financial aid for students, pressure from business leaders, governors' clout, quality, college closings, etc. (MLW)

State higher education-related referenda and 1986 voter response are listed concerning compensation of state employees, facility improvement, bond issues, English as the official state language, taxes and tax policy, lotteries for financing education, state trust funds for education funding, and governing boards. (MSE)

State legislative action to control and reward teaching quality has resulted in the coming of age of systematic teacher performance evaluation for certification, merit pay, or career ladder advancement decisions. This article overviews issues of credibility and practicality--including test design, validity, and reliability--which arise when…

Litigation concerning wrongful discharge of faculty will increase, but considerable legal variation among the states will persist. The biggest distinction between states will concern tort damage awards, and the net result will be the creation of new policies for employee rights. Employment-at-will doctrine will be affected in most states. (MSE)

Additional advice is provided, in conjunction with the foregoing article, on coping with legal constraints to school publications urging voter support for an upcoming bond issue. (TE)

Discusses (1) whether school facilities should be available for nonschool activities--and if so, to which outside groups; (2) whether outside speakers should be allowed to address a student audience--and if so, which ones; and (3) whether outsiders should be allowed to distribute literature to students. (Author/MLF)

Does a "school choice" program, under which state funds are disbursed on a neutral basis to parents in the form of a voucher to defray the cost of sending their children to a school of their choice, run afoul of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, or of the New Hampshire Constitution? No. A…

In 2003, education program officials at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation asked attorneys at the University of Washington's Center on Reinventing Public Education to explore legal issues affecting the establishment and operation of small high schools in Washington State. Although this guide will be of interest to small school advocates…

The creation of the Nevada Education Reform Act of 1997 (NERA) by the state legislature placed an emphasis on education, including technology. NERA supports a standards-based curriculum that focuses on improving student achievement and the integration of technology into the classroom. The intent of the legislation was to make technology a part…

This is the third in a series of annual reports that summarize financial trends affecting higher education. State appropriations to higher education reached $60.6 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2001, an increase of 7.0% over FY 2000 in current funds, and a 5.0 constant dollar increase. However, total state general fund appropriations for all…

This resource guide provides an overview of special-education laws and issues related to K-12 education for those interested in starting or currently operating a charter school, for host or sponsoring school districts, and for state departments of education. It is essential that charter-school operators and staff who are in any way responsible for…

Contrary to popular perception, the agricultural workplace presents many hazards. Yet children are allowed to work on farms at an age when they are likely to lack the training, skill, or maturity to handle these functions safely. This study of child labor in agriculture is divided into seven parts. Following an introductory section, part 2…

The Indian Education Legal Support Project emphasizes the legal rights of tribes to control the formal education of their members. The project's work includes developing tribal education laws and reforming state and national Indian education legislation. This document examines federal and state statutory provisions on tribal education departments…