As sponsoring agents for Arizona charter schools, individual school boards in Arizona are committed to ensuring that all applicants have a fair and equal opportunity to submit a proper charter proposal. This handbook provides information and materials to help charter-school applicants in Arizona prepare a proposal for establishing a charter…

The goal of Minnesota's Early Childhood Screening (ECS) program is to identify normal aspects of a child's health and development while sorting out potential problems that need further evaluation. In addition, all parents are linked to resources in the school and community to enhance their child's development and their own parenting skills. This…

This document is a compilation of selected laws of the state of Mississippi that pertain to or impact libraries. Excerpts from the Mississippi state constitution, from the Mississippi Code of 1972, and from relevant amendments are all included. Coverage of the statutes extends to issues such as: (1) legal holidays; (2) liability; (3) zoning; (4)…

In response to a perceived need to increase the number of students completing associate degree programs and enhance the offering of associate degree programs, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education developed a policy on associate degree programs offered at public institutions. Specifically, the policy is designed to clarify degree…

This document presents North Carolina regulations governing educational programs and services for children with special needs. Individual sections cover the following areas: definitions; identification, screening, evaluation and placement; observation; initial conference prior to school-based or preschool transition/placement committee referral;…

This paper describes the complaint investigation process for rural remote areas of Nevada as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Complaints are first filed with the Nevada Department of Education superintendent of public instruction. Complaints can be initiated by anyone and must state what regulations the public…

This guide explains Alberta's Program Unit Funding, a means to provide individual programs to supplement support for young children (ages 2.5 to 6 years) with severe disabilities. This program requires development of an Individualized Program Plan for each child and an individual budget plan submitted each school year. After an overview, sections…

This document presents the space requirements for Georgia's elementary, middle, and high schools. All square footage requirements are computed by using inside dimensions of a room; the square footage of support spaces in suites may be included when computing the square footage of the suite. Examples of support spaces include storage rooms,…

This research report argues for viewing the complex, often messy process of school reform implementation as a "conditional matrix" coupled with qualitative research. As illustration, two studies (of six reform efforts in one county and of implementation of an untracking program in Kentucky) are reported. Preliminary analysis reveals that…

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…

NCLB, Alaska Statute 14.03.120 and State Regulation 4 AAC 06.895 require each school and district to disseminate a report card to parents before the school opens for instruction in the fall. Each school site, working with the district, is responsible for determining the format of the report. This handbook has been developed to assist districts in…

The Commonwealth's Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) regulates assisted living facilities in Massachusetts. Prior to active employment, all staff and contracted providers who have direct contact with residents must receive a six-hour orientation. Also, employees must receive on-going training and in-service education to reinforce the…

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…

To address concerns of an excess of paperwork documenting compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a survey of all 50 state education agencies was conduced that investigated the role of state education agencies in the documentation of special education procedures. The survey listed 19 types of forms related to documentation…

This guide for parents of gifted children answers frequently asked questions, identifies resources, and text of relevant California laws and regulations. Preliminary material includes an introduction and a "Declaration of the Educational Rights of the Gifted Child" by Barbara Clark. Part 1 provides answers to parents' questions…