During 1976-77, 42% of U.S. schools operated with fewer than 600 pupils and 27% operated with fewer than 300 pupils; Iowa had 181 K-12 public school systems with fewer than 300 pupils in 1977-78. All of Iowa's smaller school systems were located in the more sparsely populated rural areas of the state, had higher than average per pupil assessed…

As required by state law, a consortium was developed by Eastern Washington University (consisting of the training institution, 10 school districts, and their professional organizations) whose responsibilities were the development of competencies for special education teacher training, supervision of teacher training programs, and evaluation of…

The paper examines staff and parent advocacy training for special needs preschool and Head Start children. The author outlines the rights and responsibilities as stated in federal and state legislation, and the aspects of advocacy not usually considered, such as maximizing the resources to provide an appropriate program. Suggestions are given for…

The 16 recommendations of the 1978 Ohio White House Conference on Library and Information Services are presented with background information and identification of salient issues. Concerns include the legal structure of public libraries, funding, library services (particularly for those with special needs), public relations, preservation, library…

The New Jersey legislature passed the Public School Education Act of 1975 in response to a 1973 state supreme court decision that New Jersey's school finance system was unconstitutional. That decision was based on the court's conclusion that the New Jersey Constitution commands the state to provide an equal educational opportunity to all children…

Designed to tell the school board member what New Jersey school law requires and permits, this second edition of "Basic School Law" avoids exploring the complex legal issues that gave rise to the regulations discussed. Dropping the first edition's chapter on labor law, this edition adds material on the sunshine laws regarding the conduct…

This report documents the factors involved in the consideration of two bills by the Minnesota legislature in 1977. The first bill, designed to increase the level of state foundation aid to education, was affected by public concern over inflation and property tax rates and by the impact of enrollment decline. Lobbying efforts by organizations of…

Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) provide services to and draw strength from the larger environment of which they are a part. This study examines the functions and responsibilities of ISDs with the purpose of creating a more effective network linking state agencies with local school districts. It is divided into five sections: identification of…

This report describes and evaluates the record of reform in several states that have revised their school finance systems since 1971. The introductory chapter provides an overview of reform's recent successes, shortcomings, and prospects. Six subsequent chapters offer a close look at its main features. Chapters 2 and 3 analyze new school aid…

This chart summarizes the following categories of information about various states' minimum competency testing activities: (1) name of state; (2) legislation or ruling which requires testing; (3) name of organization which sets standards; (4) grade levels assessed; (5) skill areas assessed; (6) use of standards and of test results; and (7) other…

This report, one of two related volumes, is the work of an Illinois task force on school violence and vandalism. It contains detailed recommendations to local districts plus a list and a brief description of resources that they can use to plan programs for reducing school and community violence and vandalism. Specific recommendations discussed…

Based on a review of the literature and interviews with the Real Estate Coordinators at six California community colleges, this report examines the objectives and content of continuing education curricula in real estate. After introductory material describing the role of continuing education in the statewide master plan designed to professionalize…

The context of the debate over secure versus open testing is described, with particular emphasis on tests used for postsecondary or professional school admission. Recently introduced federal and state legislation on testing is also described. Four arguments in support of open testing are summarized: (1) fairness demands that tests be open; (2)…

THE CURRENT INFLEXIBILITY OF BUSINESS AND COLLEGES IN WANTING TO USE ONLY "CREDENTIALED" PEOPLE (I.E. THOSE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR COLLEGE DEGREE) IS ACTING AS A BARRIER TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION. TO COMBAT THIS, IT IS NECESSARY THAT (1) EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS BOTH CONTINUE AND AUGMENT…

CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENT BETWEEN 25 AND 30 PER CENT OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL STAFF. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY IS TO DETERMINE THE LEGAL WORK STATUS OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE 50 STATES AND TO ARRANGE THE COLLECTED INFORMATION UNDER FUNCTIONAL TOPICS. THE PROBLEM IS SUBDIVIDED TO CONSIDER (1)…