Summarizes legal arguments dealing with public employee collective bargaining in an attempt to explain variations in state bargaining laws. A discrimination analysis model is then used to determine which nonlegal factors affect the enactment of collective bargaining legislation for public school teachers. (Available from Baywood Publishing…

Two curriculum specialists recount the growth of special education programs in Illinois. They note that strong professional advocacy and political know-how help to promote such programs, but warn that problems of implementation can arise. (Author)

Systematically identifies the stages in the development of legislative proposals affecting schools. Gives special recognition to alternative sources of power in state government in contrast to the "formal institution-association" concept of power. (Author/IRT)

Reviews the legal rulings and statutes that have shaped public employee labor relations in Texas since the late 19th century. In the absence of one comprehensive labor/management act, Texas has many diverse laws and precedents that affect the public employee. Available from Baywood Publishing Company, Inc., 43 Central Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735;…

Survey data reveal that, of the 72 recent legislative actions affecting community colleges labeled as significant by state directors of community/junior colleges, nearly 50 percent are concentrated in three areas: institutional growth, governance, and financial support. There is a great deal of state-level legislative support for the continued…

This article reports results of a survey of police officials, prosecuting attorneys, and members of homosexual groups in the seven states that had decriminalized private homosexual behavior between consenting adults. The response indicates that decriminalization has eased the problems of the homosexual community without any other adverse effects.…

The growth of government participation in higher education planning over the last two decades is discussed from the dual perspective of a college planning officer at Western Washington State College, and also a Washington state senator. It is noted that the state-federal planning establishment has flourished after the great growth period in U.S.…

One indicator of progress in the Challenge to Lead goals refers to teacher compensation: Salaries, benefits and incentives are competitive in the marketplace. They are aimed at recognized expertise, student performance, state needs and taking on additional or different roles to improve curriculum and instruction." Most Southern Regional Education…

Since universal preschool for California is still in its early planning phase, most of the details remain to be decided, including the scope and structure of the program, whether or not it will be coordinated by the public schools, where it will be housed, whether it will be full-day or part-day (with or without wrap-around care), the extent to…

Each year thousands of students transfer from one postsecondary institution to another. The credit transfer process, to the extent that it delays students' progress, can affect the affordability of postsecondary education and the time it takes students to graduate. Seeking information on the processes and requirements that postsecondary…

Colorado law requires school districts to schedule 1080 hours per year of instructional time for secondary schools and 990 instructional hours for elementary schools. The 1080 hours equate to six hours per day for 180 days. The 990 hours equate to five and one-half hours per day. Up to 24 hours may be counted for parent-teacher conferences, staff…

This paper provides background information for a Commission discussion regarding the challenges that community college districts confront when trying to serve rural and remote communities. The paper describes the dynamics of statewide and regional population growth occurring in California and an overview of program-based funding--the budgetary…

In Kentucky, nongraded primary education became a reality under the mandate of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) in 1990. Research has produced some anecdotal information on the degree to which schools have implemented the ungraded primary program, but there has been no research to link the implementation of the primary program to student…

As the largest part of K-12 spending, teacher pay is often the focus of deliberations during legislative sessions. Compensation is an important part of attracting and retaining high-quality teachers. Most teachers continue to be paid based primarily on years of experience and degree level, although some states tie a small portion of compensation…