In September 1998, the California State Legislature passed SB 2042, legislation that authorized the reform of teacher recruitment, certification, and licensing in the state. Its provisions are unique in that they represent the first time in California's history that almost all of the standards dealing with teacher preparation and induction were…

Changes in affirmative action policies in some states create possibilities for "natural experiments" to observe the effect of public policy on racial and ethnic inequality in American society. This study measured the impact of Initiative 200, a ballot measure that eliminated affirmative action in Washington State, on the transition from…

This report uses text, graphs, and tables to show how Vermont's Act 230 (1990) is being implemented to reform both regular and special education. The Act's goals focus on reducing dependence on categorical programs such as special education and increasing support available to students not eligible for special education through such strategies as…

This report includes state-by-state summaries of 1994 legislation pertaining to Native American issues. Of 344 bills introduced in the state legislatures in 1994, 92 were enacted and 20 are still pending. Major issues addressed in 1994 legislation included Native American education; history, language, and culture preservation; sovereignty; law…

The Tennessee State Legislature passed the Education Improvement Act (EIA) in 1992, which established the Basic Education Program (BEP) as the funding formula for providing adequate, equitable, and sustainable school funding. This document presents the 1995 Master Plan for Tennessee Schools, which focuses on the priority issues that must be…

This document presents findings of a General Accounting Office (GAO) study that reviewed the experiences of three states that had recently reformed their school-finance systems to make them more equitable. Case studies of Tennessee, Texas, and Minnesota were conducted. Methodology included a review of school finance documents and legislative…

During the years 1991-1995, through planning efforts in local communities, a successful model has been created for the implementation of the Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Act (1990). Three key components of the Colorado model are: (1) the establishment of local health advisory committees; (2) the administration of local needs…

This document presents excerpts from Chapter 388 of the Nevada Administrative Code, which concerns definitions, eligibility, and programs for students who are disabled or gifted/talented. The first section gathers together 36 relevant definitions from the Code for such concepts as "adaptive behavior,""autism,""gifted and…

This is a summary of the 120 bills and resolutions related to higher education and passed by the 1996 session of the Virginia General Assembly. Bills address issues affecting all of Virginia higher education as well as those specifically affecting the Council of Higher Education. Brief summaries of each bill follow a listing of all the higher…

This book consists of a compilation of brief descriptions of legislation on issues critical to children and families enacted during 1995 by the states and the District of Columbia. The laws pertaining to various issues are listed by state. The issues are: (1) abuse and neglect (including screening, court procedures and considerations, offenses and…

This report presents the results of a review of the costs and benefits of specialized accreditation of higher education institutions and programs. The review surveyed 110 programs in 6 disciplines (business, engineering, interior design, nursing, physical therapy, and teacher education) at public and private community colleges, colleges, and…

This document proposes a direction and strategies for using a total quality management approach to develop and implement standards for evaluating vocational education students and assessing programs throughout Michigan. Discussed in part 1 are the following: the terms "standards,""assessments," and "certification";…

Is it possible for state legislation designed to initiate systemic school reform to influence curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the classroom and building level? This paper presents findings of a longitudinal study of Oregon educators' reactions to school-reform legislation since it was passed in 1991. The Oregon Educational Act for the…

Educator reticence in some states has exerted a moderating effect on attempts to redesign public schooling. This paper presents findings of a longitudinal study that investigated the phenomenon of educator reaction to systemic state school-reform legislation. Oregon's landmark school-reform legislation, passed in 1991 and revised in 1995, serves…

Pennsylvania's proposed Charter Schools Act, House Bill (H.B.) 1834, allows charter schools to be approved by local school boards or school district voters. This report describes the mission, functions, capabilities, and plans of a potential nonprofit Technical Assistance Activity (TAA) for charter-school applicants under H.B. 1834. The report…