This annual report complies with the requirements of Tennessee's Public Education Governance Reform Act of 1984, which directs the State Board of Education and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to prepare a report on: (1) the extent of duplication in elementary-secondary and postsecondary education in Tennessee; (2) the extent to which…

"The Graduation Rule - 3501" was created in three stages and governs the Basic Standards in Reading and Mathematics (1996), the Basic Standards in Written Composition (1997), and the Profile of Learning (1998). This document contains the first of these three parts comprising Chapter 3501. "Basic Standards" are the basic…

The number of students with disabilities entering higher education continues to increase, and there is a concomitant rise in the number of disability accommodation grievances filed in institutions, with the U.S. Office of Civil Rights, and through the legal court system. It is important that faculty members know about disability law. Faculty…

Student disciplinary proceedings often present a challenge for school-board members and school administrators alike. One of the biggest obstacles to fairness in any school-related hearing is the potential for confusing the roles among administrators and the board. It may be impossible to avoid all these role conflicts in some situations, but this…

This report describes initiatives and services of the Massachusetts Department of Education for academically advanced students. The first section summarizes the department's state initiatives implemented as a result of the state's Education Reform Act of 1993, such as grants to enhance district gifted and talented programs and Advanced Placement…

This progress report on diversity in higher education in Washington State was undertaken less than a year after voters approved Initiative 200, which prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Analysis of data gathered from several sources focused on five areas: student enrollment, transfers, retention,…

Expanding upon ideas presented in the report, "Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader," this collection highlights projects, proposals, and programs that help all children become good readers. Chapter 1 describes 18 federal initiatives and programs; and chapter 2 presents excerpts from 16 State of the State addresses…

Regulatory guidelines governing the minimum schoolhouse construction standards as well as rules for new construction applications, school site selection, and approval procedures are presented. Appendices (comprising 95 percent of the publication) document the following: educational space guidelines; planning for modern education; school…

In 1998, Connecticut's Public Act 98-243 mandated the development of an individual 3-year reading plan to address at-risk students, literacy instruction, professional development, and to forge stronger links with students' families. District reading plans were submitted to the Connecticut State Department of Education to be utilized as a rich data…

A study explored, through a review of the literature, specific problems that scholars have identified regarding free expression in student publications since "Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier" (1988). It then analyzed the six state statutes which were passed to clarify the extent of school administrators' rights to censor student journalism and…

This report presents the Teacher Retirement System of Texas's (TRS's) strategic plan for teacher retirement in the state of Texas for the years 1999-2003. The mission of the TRS is to deliver retirement and related benefits authorized by law for members and their beneficiaries and to prudently invest and manage the assets held in trust for members…

North Carolina has educated children with disabilities in its public schools since 1949-50, but it was not until 1977 that the General Assembly passed a law which required the state's public schools to provide special education for all children with disabilities. This law is Article 9, Special Education, of the North Carolina General Statutes,…

This document presents questions and answers to some frequently asked questions concerning enrollment growth funding limitations and its implications at California's public universities. These questions include: (1) What is "enrollment growth funding" and what actions has the Legislature taken that would impact the funding of future…

A State by State review of current developments, supplemented with a summary of important developments at the national development such as a Gallup polling of professional educators on action to desegregate the nation's schools and Supreme Court decisions. (JM)

Discusses the development of Alabama's system of community junior colleges and technical institutes. (Author/RK)