Each edition of the IDRA Newsletter strives to provide many different perspectives on the issues in education topics discussed and to define its significance in the state and national dialogue. This issue focuses on Enlightened Public Policy and includes: (1) The Status of School Finance Equity in Texas (Albert Cortez); and (2) Disciplinary…

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program enables students in 12 Western states to enroll in selected out-of-state professional programs, usually because those fields of study are not available at public institutions in their home states. Exchange students receive preference in admission.…

As a new school year begins across the country, many are looking back on a long, hot summer and wondering where did all that time go? For early childhood public policy, three developments over the summer are likely to shape the field for quite some time. By July, many states had wound up their budgets for the coming year. In addition to cuts to…

The process of reforming human services involves a true understanding of the meaning of child-centered, family-focused, community-based services, and the creation of the system that these concepts demand. The concept of "child-centered services" acknowledges that children are entitled to have their basic needs met in a manner that…

State regulations allow public school districts outside of New York City to apply for Building Aid on leasing costs involving instructional facilities for grades Pre-K through 12 located off school district property. This guide explains how the districts should proceed when applying for Building Aid on leased facilities. Attached is the…

A study examined implementation of the Arizona Vocational Technological Education Curriculum Model, which outlines a comprehensive instructional framework to prepare students for higher education, on-the-job training, and the world of work. A questionnaire customized for each of Arizona's 172 schools with 1 or more state-approved…

A procedural guide to program-planning-budgeting systems (PPBS) and an exploration of valid sources of funding for school media programs. (Author/PF)

Compares the use of a foundation program approach and a percentage or "power equalizing" approach to state school aid, and discusses typical formulas for calculating state aid under each approach. (JG)

Information on state tax support of higher education in the United States is presented. In addition to trend data since 1976, data on state tax-fund appropriations for each state and specific colleges and systems are provided for fiscal years (FY) 1985-1986 and 1986-1987. A narrative section reveals that there was an increase of nearly two billion…

The purpose of this paper was to examine the procedures a state may use to implement a teacher incentive program to recruit individuals into the profession. This paper describes the selection and monitoring process Missouri uses to implement its state incentive program. The intent of the Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship program is to attract…

Projections of five past financial trends appear to be a reliable guide to the prospects for financing education, though these trends will not provide for "adequate" financing. Four of these trends are common to both the state and federal levels--a preference for categorical rather than general aid, the mandating of costly programs…

While state governments funded only about 3percent as much research and development (R and D) work as federal agencies in 1973, the state agencies have increased their R and D funding fourfold since 1964. Most of the state support has been for health and natural resource work. (RH)

Minnesota has just passed a bill which allows for financial aid for foreign students in all state institutions of higher education. (PG)

For the first time in U.S. history, a few mainland States finally enacted school finance laws that will achieve substantial intrastate resource equity, and a larger number of States took important steps in this direction. These States have translated the theory of equity into fact and, as such, they provide the operational models of school finance…