Argues that immunizations are the most powerful and most effective way to prevent childhood infectious diseases. Presents immunization rates in Missouri and describes recent state legislation adding tetanus and pertussis to required immunizations for school attendance. Identifies factors contributing to Missouri's low preschool immunization level.…

Shares a letter the author (a professor emeritus of Language Arts education) wrote to her state assembly member in California in response to legislation, based on a very limited definition of reading, that imposed the use of phonics on school districts. Notes that the letter can serve as a model for other educators to respond to their legislator.…

Relates the history of restriction of access to the Aid to Dependent Children and Aid to Families with Dependent Children programs. Examines how intrastate and interstate policies affected the enactment of work requirements for aid. Shows that intrastate politics had the greatest effect, but that policies spread among states in similar situations.…

Examines on a state-by-state basis the degree of support for counselor legislative efforts offered by other mental health professionals. Looks at three dimensions: collaboration in creating counselor licensing or certification, collaboration in passing a counselor licensing or certifying bill, and legislative support for including counselors in…

The "boys will be boys" era is over. Districts must take two basic actions to establish schools that are free of sexual harassment: publish a written policy and provide training for students. This article explains California Code and Federal law requirements, the value of special curricula, and the need for maintaining confidentiality,…

Explores legislative conditions that promote charter-school autonomy, applying a conceptual framework of autonomy to assess variations among state charter-school policies. Results suggest that state policies offer different self-governance levels and thereby influence charter schools' innovative ability and performance potential. Variations are…

Looks at the current federal job training and workforce development structure and suggests that they have many problems. Also describes reforms passed by several states, notably Texas. Suggests that partnership between public and private sectors is crucial to develop and maintain a system that meets everyone's needs. (JOW)

State activism in school funding extends far beyond increasing states' percentage of public-school revenues. However, local districts' share of funding has fallen dramatically over the last 7 decades. Equity-, efficiency-, and liberty-enhancing goals are explained, along with assistance-oriented, persuasive, and regulatory policy approaches.…

Extensive review of the research literature on the impact of school finance litigation on finance reform. Classifies 200 studies reviewed into four groups: general literature, single-state studies, multi-state studies, and direct litigation-effect studies. Concludes that litigation contributed to higher levels of school funding. (Contains 113…

Compares state policies with accountability provisions of the newly reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (PKP)

Describes goals, advantages, standards, and missing components of state accountability systems. (25 references) (PKP)

Describes charter-school law in Texas, including sections authorizing open-enrollment charter schools. Reports on results of third-year evaluation of 89 open-enrollment charter schools. Evaluation includes student demographics and performance, parents, teachers, directors, revenue and expenditures, and the effects of charter schools on traditional…

Examined whether Michigan's elementary charter schools' expenditures differ from those of comparable-enrollment local districts. During 1995-96, charters spent an average of 57 percent of revenues on instruction and about 43 percent on support services, compared to 65 and 35 percent for comparable districts. Charters' administrative expenditures…

California's newly legislated Peer Assistance and Review Program will hopefully transform the state's teaching profession. PAR will serve as a catalyst for positive change in several areas: recognition of teaching as a lifelong developmental process; alignment of teacher development with standards; and creation of labor/management partnerships.…

The California Legislature has funded three programs to help beginning teachers enter credentialed programs or complete internship and induction programs. The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program has three models: classroom teachers as support providers, full-time teacher release, and part-time teacher release. Benefits and drawbacks…