Information is presented on standardized tests used at California undergraduate and graduate/professional schools for admission and placement purposes. The following four tests used at the undergraduate level are described: the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, the Scholastic Aptitude and College…

An analysis is provided of the status of collective bargaining in Illinois community colleges in 1983-84. Chapter 1 provides introductory material on: the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (H.B. 1530), a comprehensive collective bargaining law; the value of an examination of collective bargaining prior to the implementation of the law; and…

This 3-year project aimed to improve delivery of support and instructional services among 33 West Virginia county school districts in implementing special education mandates. The participating school districts are within the service area of West Virginia University. The introduction details each year's objectives. "Year one" pursued…

This study focuses on vocational education curriculum and staffing changes among California school districts as a result of 1983 state back-to-basics educational reform legislation (Hughes-Hart Educational Reform Act of 1983). Data were gathered from 1981-86, beginning with baseline data two years prior to, during, and two years after legislation.…

Factors affecting the acceptance by the courts of teacher employment policies involving competency testing are examined in this report. Policies in 55 states and territories are considered, and the wide variations among the policies and court interpretations of them are noted. Particular attention is paid to constitutional provisions regarding…

This edition highlights two topic areas. A new chart summarizes and updates information on state testing requirements for certification and for entry to or exit from teacher education progams. State activity in the area of early childhood education provides the second highlight. Documenting a variety of reforms, this survey also tracks eight…

An update of California legislation affecting higher education (introduced in 1987 and still under consideration or introduced in 1988) is provided. The 107 bills affecting higher education that are before the legislature in 1988 are grouped into five major categories: student fees and financial assistance (student fee policy, modifications in…

Since 1975, the Center for the Study of Higher Education, the Pennsylvania State University, and the National Council of State Directors of Community and Junior Colleges have cooperated in an annual study to identify and analyze pertinent state legislation affecting two-year colleges throughout the United States, to examine the issues which…

In response to a legislative imperative that all public higher education institutions in Virginia develop and implement a program to measure student learning and to use the results of evaluations for the improvement of instruction and the curriculum, the Virginia community colleges have either initiated or completed a number of student assessment…

Several problems have been identified in the administration of student financial aid programs in California, including high default rates in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) Program, a significant decrease in the number of eligible students receiving financial aid, workload increases in program administration, and unmet needs for financial aid…

To allow school district staff to administer community organizations' use of school facilities, school boards should set strong but flexible policies on such use, as has the Akron (OH) Board of Education. Although Ohio law allows schools to be used for a wide range of social, recreational, and religious activities, the board--acknowledging its…

As part of a comprehensive study of all mandates placed by the state of Illinois on elementary and secondary education, an analysis was undertaken of the student transportation mandate in its historical perspective, inquiring into its original purpose, how well that purpose has been served, whether the mandate is still needed, and whether a…

This paper gives a brief overview of the changing relationship between school and family in Australia. Discussion first concerns major changes that have occurred in Australian families, particularly in the period since World War II. Next explored are the many forms of school and family relationships. These range from informal get-togethers to the…

This compilation, consisting primarily of state statutes providing education and training benefits for senior citizens, focuses on the accessibility of educational opportunities to older adults across the country. Included in the first part of the volume are excerpts from federal education laws dealing with education and training for older…

School barriers to equal access need to be removed by fundamentally new policy initiatives at the state and district levels in order to assure educational opportunities for at-risk students. Gender, race, poverty and individual disabilities continue to generate barriers for at-risk students despite broad legal efforts at reform. The following…