Just 1 day before a court-imposed deadline of June 1, 1993, Texas Governor Ann Richards signed into law Senate Bill 7 (S.B. 7), the newest version of the Texas school finance system. This paper describes the state's new school finance system with regard to the following: (1) its constitutionality; (2) the provision of a system that equalizes…

The Family Support Act (FSA) of 1988 is the result of congressional efforts to restructure the nation's welfare system. This report examines the impact of the FSA on state programs that serve pregnant, parenting, and high-risk teenagers. The objective of FSA is to help families started by teen mothers and other welfare recipients make a transition…

This curriculum guide was prepared for use in an introductory occupations course required of all New York State students taking a sequence in vocational education. Compiled by a partnership that included organized labor, the curriculum guide is based on New York State law, but the concepts and approaches could be adapted for use in other states.…

The rules and regulations governing Texas schools' treatment of the language and academic needs of limited-English-proficient (LEP) public school students are reviewed. First, a historical overview of the state's laws and regulations governing programs for the LEP population is presented. Second, the state's language and academic assessment…

This report to the California legislature describes the steps that the university and state university are taking to implement the state-mandated Human Corps programs of volunteer community service by college students. Information is provided on University of California and California State University activities. The Human Corps organization is…

Historically, the financial responsibility for caring for those with mental illness has shifted back and forth from the local community, to the state, to the federal government. Today states provide the vast majority of the funds to the state mental health agencies and oversee local governments and most private resources for mental health funding.…

A summary and analysis is provided of California Assembly Bill (AB) 1725, a reform bill that provides new direction and support for the state's community colleges. The analysis addresses each of the eight sections of the bill: (1) mission, highlighting reforms related to mission statements, transfer core curriculum, remedial limits, articulation…

This paper highlights recent trends, issues, and research related to the roles and authority of states in policies for teachers and teaching. A review of literature demonstrates an increased role for state policymakers in education decision making. Decisions that had typically been within the domain of professional educators are now subject to…

Many at-risk student intervention programs are not affordable for small rural schools. The Cooperative Alternative Program (CAP), a cooperative dropout prevention program administered by six western Texas rural school districts, is described in this report. The program is designed to meet graduation requirements, teach vocational skills, provide…

This technical report examines legal and policy issues affecting agencies offering alcohol and other drug prevention and treatment services to youth. Specific issues covered include: (1) whether such agencies must comply with federal laws and regulations governing confidentiality of patient records, and, if they must comply, how they must do so;…

The result of a comprehensive review by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges of the minimum standards entitling community college districts to receive state aid, this report provides background information, summarizes proposed changes, and offers the complete text of a revised set of regulations. Section I presents…

Based on reports generated by the Michigan office of the Project on Equal Education Rights (PEER), this report documents how schools in Michigan perpetuate sex bias/discrimination, and describes what is being done to encourage sex equity. The report also examines the extent of school compliance with Title IX (Education Amendments of 1972), which…

Because of the poor response rate to St. Johns River Community College's follow-up surveys on program completers, the college decided to develop a postcard format survey form in the hope of improving survey response rates. After reviewing a similar follow-up survey postcard used by another two-year college in Florida, the project staff settled on…

The ways collective bargaining affects the operation of public schools are identified. Teachers covered by bargaining agreements, compared with teachers not covered, receive higher salaries and teach smaller classes. They also spend slightly less time instructing students but more time preparing for classes. The major difference detected in the…

As part of an ongoing effort to examine the quality of the New York State educational system, the State Senate Task Force on Critical Problems has compiled this report on the relationship between the nonpublic school sector and the state, as a basis for formulating consistent and effective educational policies. The first section examines why…