In 1997, Governor Terry Branstad appointed 14 Iowa citizens, educators, and leaders to a special commission to create a vision and roadmap for the state's prekindergarten through 12th grade educational system. Working groups assisted the commission by addressing issues and drafting recommendations in four key areas: high expectations for students,…

One of a series of state profiles, this report describes the dimensions of the problems caused by alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Kansas and the public and private initiatives to reduce these problems. It highlights positive developments and identifies areas to be strengthened. Demographic characteristics, state agency organization, and state…

In spring 1991, Alaska Governor Walter J. Hickel appointed a Commission for School Choice and charged it with recommending choice options most appropriate for the state. This report first summarizes the commission's findings: (1) public support for more choice in education is ambivalent; (2) Alaskan public education needs improvement; (3)…

The 1990 Report of the Task Force on School Health examines the current status of Maryland's school health programs and proposes 16 recommendations designed to implement a comprehensive school health (CSH) program to meet the needs of all students. The report describes the Task Force, which was appointed in 1989. After presenting a background on…

This document examines the accomplishments of California's educational reform movement (1983-1993) in the context of the five major recommendations outlined in the 1983 report, "A Nation at Risk." A more comprehensive view of the state's systemic reforms is also provided. The five goals included the following: (1) strengthen graduation…

This report focuses on the extent of the foreign language teacher shortage, including avenues explored to curtail shortages and incentives for recruiting new teachers or for helping current teachers to maintain or improve their skills. Questionnaires were sent to foreign language supervisors in state education agencies of the 50 states and the…

An overview of parental choice options and issues in Maine is presented in this paper. Methodology involved: (1) interviews with 10 state Department of Education officials; (2) analysis of State Department of Education data; (3) interviews with other educators and one state legislator; (4) analysis of newspaper and journal articles; and (5) a…

Trends in foreign student enrollments and the policies of public colleges toward foreign students were surveyed as a followup to a 1981 survey. Of 1,491 colleges that received questionnaires, 904 responded. Special attention was focused on differences in the patterns of results for: institutions with large foreign student populations, institutions…

State program approval could significantly influence the redesign of teacher education programs because of its legal authority. This paper reviews the functions of state program approval, and compares these processes with those of national voluntary accreditation organizations, such as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.…

Most states have already implemented policies to recruit, select, and retain better teachers. The majority of these policies raise standards for entry or recertification. Another approach provides incentives to attract qualified college graduates into teaching. Offering scholarships in exchange for five-year teaching commitments and offering…

Designed to help state policymakers examine issues regarding the financing of adult learning and make decisions, this paper begins by outlining five positions on state financing: laissez faire, forced retrenchment, voluntary retrenchment, decentralized control of funding, and centralized control of funding. Collection of information on current…

Few educational issues have caused as much concern as those relating to teacher supply and demand especially as it relates to the recruitment of black teachers. Suggestions are made for reversing the trend of declining minority involvement in teaching, focusing on the role of the state and state universities. It is emphasized that minority student…

This Congressional report confirms the increasing tragedy of child abuse and neglect in the United States and documents the decline in resources available to serve those children. It is based on a survey conducted of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine what information was available about the extent of child abuse and neglect,…

The proposal by the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education that non-public schools use a new public high school examination for graduation is described as an unwarranted regulation that threatens the pursuit of excellence and scholarship in private education. The proposed state exit examination is considered to be intrusive and inconsistent…

Critical issues concerning the state takeover of local school districts are outlined in this paper. Three major topics are addressed: situational factors leading to intervention; the legitimacy of state power; and appropriate beneficial conditions of state takeover. The most frequent reasons for state intervention involve concerns about equity,…