Debra Eckerman's response to the author's May 1998 "Kappan" article shows she sincerely, but mistakenly believes that the Minnesota standards-based reform movement will raise academic expectations for all students by attempting to control educational outcomes. Teachers should jettison their complacency to improve professionalism and…

This document contains two essays--the first on public education, and the second on private education. The first essay, entitled, "Our Schools and Our Future," points out a paradox--public-opinion polls show widespread public receptivity to fundamental changes in the education system; however, this attitude is accompanied by widespread complacency…

This report summarizes the findings of a California commission on how to best teach English to non English speakers in the State. Three findings of the report are highlighted: (1) schools are not meeting the primary goal of education for immigrant students; (2) emphasis on native language education is inappropriate, unwarranted, not feasible, and…

This article examines the trend to eliminate school boards and place school districts under local or state government control. It outlines general problems that may lead to legal actions against school districts and suggests activities for integrating public viewpoints into school governance. (LMI)

The skills and knowledge required for productive employment and citizenship are constantly expanding. To secure America's economic future, more students than ever before must be educated at much higher levels. States have responded to the challenge with energy, leadership, and resources. This report describes those efforts and analyzes their…

This document reports on Maryland's progress as of 1995 toward the eight National Education Goals. The document lists the National Education Goals; describes state progress made toward each goal; describes programs that address each goal; and presents statistics on enrollment, public school funding, teacher salaries, attendance, special programs,…

Among the most rapidly progressing issues in American public education is that of contracting with private companies for teaching or administrative services. This booklet neither encourages nor discourages school boards from considering or entering into relationships with private companies for educational services. School districts usually enter…

This guide is designed to provide direction for school districts required to develop their own competency-based education programs in social studies. The ultimate purpose is to enhance the quality of social studies learning in the state of Ohio. The introductory sections, while useful for social studies teachers, also are designed to provide…

This publication reports on the general condition of K-12 education in the state of Colorado. It summarizes current efforts to restructure the educational system based on student and national goals, and provides information on Colorado's educational performance, school district personnel, and major state programs. Section 1 describes the need for…

This document contains information about the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's six initiatives and comments from participants at the annual Policy Seminar, sponsored jointly by the department and the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), July 11-13, 1994. The document contains the participants' comments regarding the…

A historical overview of Ohio's county boards of education is provided in this document. State legislation passed in 1914 provided statewide school standards, established the county boards of education, and outlined the county superintendent's qualifications. The new boards' major responsibilities included teacher supervision and the…

This Policy Brief consists of a report on the status of minority teachers in the United States, with emphasis on the states served by the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. The first article examines the causes of the decline of minority group teachers and the impact of this shortage on minority students. It lists some of the…

An Iowa project identified curriculum, program standards, and a framework for promoting marketing education programs. The mission for the state action plan for marketing education is to develop a strategy to revitalize Iowa's marketing education for the 21st century. Three goals support this mission: (1) create a community-wide awareness of the…

The Student Fee Sunset Review Committee's recommendation to the California legislature regarding revisions to and extension of the existing student fee legislation originally enacted in 1985 is presented. The committee continues to support the fee policy as well as the proposed changes in fee legislation that it recommends. Part 1 covers…

This study is a replication of a 1983-84 study of state activity in the area of staff development. Survey questionnaires were mailed to the Chief Educational Officer in each of the 50 states; responses were received from all states. The study compares changes since the 1984 study and focuses on five basic objectives: (1) Which states through law…