Trends in the priorities set by state governors for higher education are outlined, including increases in state appropriations and improved school-industry ties. The additional priorities of some individual states for budgeting and revenue improvement are noted. (MSE)

This paper is part of a collection of 54 papers from the 48th annual conference of the Education Law Association held in November 2002. It discusses the role that states' constitutional mandates play in education finance. It examines why, when one of the few constitutionally shared responsibilities of all 50 states is the provision of education,…

After decades of media attention, study, and lawsuits, the solution to inequities in school funding remains elusive. This paper examines several strategies that states have used to try to close the funding disparities in per-pupil spending. It explains the two definitions of equity in the school-finance arena and identifies some important trends…

Addressing educational accountability concerns requires a new level of collaborative activity among state government, universities, local school districts, education service centers, professional associations, and the business community. Collaborative efforts can obtain greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness by using stakeholders' strengths to…

Studies indicate these potential sources of wage differentials between women and men: women have different skills and qualifications; they work in the same jobs and establishments and have equal qualifications but receive unequal pay; and they work in different jobs or establishments, where pay is low, but have qualifications similar to men…

A survey commissioned by the National Education Association studied how state legislators, especially those in leadership positions, view the current landscape for higher education in their states. The findings are based on in-depth, one-on-one telephone interviews conducted from July 2000 through February 2001 with 64 house and senate education…

The National Conference of State Legislatures convened a task force in 2001 to examine the role of state legislatures in addressing the shortage of qualified and interested candidates for positions in school leadership. This report contains the work of the task force over an 18-month period. The task force sorted data, research, and information…

This report provides an account of the actions taken by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families in the wake of the fatal school shooting in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to shape public policy affecting young children who commit serious violent crimes. Following some background information, the report's contents are: (1) "Responding to a…

Significant progress has been made during the biennium 1926-1928 in the parent education movement, which is one of the developing phases of adult education. This progress is due principally to the efforts of parents and their groups and to many national, State, and local public and private agencies. In several States, scattered and isolated…

In enacting federal age discrimination legislation, Congress has not preempted the ability of the states to afford more protection to employees from forced retirement than the federal act provides. States with and without age discrimination laws and other sources of law are briefly discussed. (MLW)

Policymakers are exploring whether schools should be allocated state funds as rewards for improving student achievement and other performance indicators. Team-based rewards specified in 14 states' statutes represent a limited form of performance-based school finance. This article examines financial rewards in four states and makes policy…

Collaborative research effort between the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Office of Educational Leadership provided ethnographic data on the perceptions of principals at 22 schools participating in an educational transformation/shared-governance process. Findings show that awareness of obstacles to change is a necessary first step toward…

To address the health care needs of the millions of uninsured children of low-income families ineligible for Medicaid, many states have developed innovative public and private programs. Examines the privately funded Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caring Program and promising public programs in 11 states. (MDM)

Intent of "A Nation at Risk" was to call attention to erosion of students' family lives, not to excoriate teachers. Reforms affecting only six hours of children's daily lives cannot succeed. Schools must reach out to help parents, and child-care workers become skilled at incidental (informal) teaching. Other concerns include technology,…

Statewide assessment of comprehensive school health education (CSHE) in Pennsylvania surveyed administrators, curriculum supervisors, and teachers from 164 public school districts on curriculum development and professional preparation. Results indicated only 12 districts met the criteria for providing K-12 quality CSHE. Subsequently, Pennsylvania…