Chapter 1 of this handbook of Montana library laws, rules, and public library standards contains excerpts from the Constitution of Montana, including articles on property tax exemptions, educational goals and duties, and code of ethics. Montana library laws covering the following areas are presented in Chapter 2: publication and updating of the…

The settlement between the states and the tobacco manufacturers reached in November 1998 is expected to infuse $206 billion in new revenues into state treasuries over the next 25 years. This study examined state decisions concerning the tobacco settlement revenues in order to highlight opportunities for using the funds to support children's…

This case book provides New Hampshire high school students and teachers with state specific law related information and activities. The 37 cases, selected according to their constitutional significance, are organized into 13 sections as follows: (1) "The Early Years"; (2) "Carpetbaggers, Speculators, and Investors"; (3)…

This guide is a reference for North Dakota school district personnel. It includes all documents related to the subjects of school construction approval for schools under, and over, $150,000; construction loans, including application forms which can be reproduced; and the timelines for both processes. School facility plan forms are provided to…

Underage drinking is a major problem across the country. Many communities are trying to reduce the injuries and deaths that occur as a result of this problem. Community groups have been instrumental in working at the state level to pass stricter laws curbing underage drinking and to tighten the laws that already exist. This paper provides tips and…

This paper provides background information about a statute that affects the fiscal operation of California community colleges. The Fifty Percent Law (Education Code 84362) requires "there shall be expended each fiscal year for payment of salaries of classroom instructors by a community college district, 50 percent of the district's current…

This report profiles legislative action affecting pre-K-12 education in the 50 states during the 1997-98 school year. The information was collected from Lexis-Nexis, legislative staff, state newsletters, school board/teacher associations, and various media. The resulting report, compiled by the Education Commission of the States Information…

The 1997 Utah Legislature mandated the development and administration of assessment of students' early reading and numeric skills so that these students' instructional needs might be better met. This document provides answers to several questions regarding Utah's pre-kindergarten and end-of-level kindergarten assessments. The questions include the…

The passage of the Children First Act in 1988 ushered in a new era of data collection, analysis, and reporting about the overall quality and condition of education in Louisiana. Implemented in 1990, this major piece of legislation resulted in the publication of the Progress Profiles (School Report Cards, District Composite Report, and the…

As we begin the run up to the January 2005 Texas legislative session, a number of important education reform issues are on the table. Perhaps the greatest challenge will involve measures to increase revenues to cover state-supported functions, including of course education. [This document originally appeared in the "IDRA Newsletter", however some…

This bulletin has been used extensively since it was published in State legislative campaigns for physical education. The following topics are discussed: (1) Purpose and scope of State laws for physical education; (2) Tabular summary of State laws; (3) Principles governing State legislation for physical education; (4) Text of State physical…

The primary areas considered by State legislatures in 1973 included higher minimum wage rates and broader coverage of minimum wage laws, improved occupational safety, collective bargaining procedures for public employees, elimination of discrimination in employment, and updating of child labor standards. (Author)

In 1970 the Florida legislature enacted into law a plan to assist public schools to provide adequate guidance services for students and faculty and provided for creation of the position of occupational specialist. The article details the training, duties, and characteristics required in the position and responses to its creation. (AG)

Author predicts that the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in San Antonio v. Rodriquez signals an end to federal court support for school finance reform for the foreseeable future. (Editor/RK)

Identfies the legal constraints and dynamics (in their institutional and political settings) which operate on community education. Examines (1) how community education fits into the structure of more traditional public education law, (2) how the courts have regarded community education, (3) the relevant policies that State education codes and…