Examines case law as it has developed regarding the constitutionality of school vouchers under both federal and state law; discusses issues of federalism related to state constitutional provisions; and explores the emerging role of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (75 footnotes) (MLF)

Examines teacher reactions to an Oregon law designed to restructure public education around Certificates of Initial and Advanced Mastery. Over 2,000 educators in 92 schools completed surveys. Responses showed cautious support for reform ideas, tempered with skepticisms concerning implementation. Rural teachers were more critical of the plan. (50…

Questions whether William Rainey Harper was responsible for David Starr Jordan's and Benjamin Ida Wheeler's advocacy of the municipal junior college in California; whether Jordan and Wheeler introduced the idea to Senator Anthony Caminetti prior to his introduction of the bill permitting six-year high schools; and what constitutes sufficient…

Describes the national mood toward immigration as evidenced by the 1994 passage of Proposition 187 in California, and its effect on the community college mission. Reviews benefits and drawbacks of the measure for educational institutions and examines approaches to illegal immigration taken in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. (16…

Focuses on the issues that arise when school professionals are required to report child abuse and neglect. Reviews the duties and immunities arising under state reporting statutes and the reporting practices and perceptions of school staff. Recommends an increase in staff education and federal establishment of the scope of the definition of child…

Describes the cash award system Indiana developed to reward schools for relative improvement in language arts proficiency, mathematics proficiency, overall achievement performance, and attendance. The article looks at problems with the program, how the program was implemented, how money was used, and positive and negative rhetoric. (SM)

College administrators may use state and federal law and disciplinary policy to prevent selling and/or purchasing prefabricated term papers. The federal government may enjoin term-paper companies' activities involving use of the mails for fraudulent purposes. States may enjoin sale of term papers violating education or criminal codes. (MSE)

Analyzes two new state funding programs for low-wealth and small-enrollment schools in North Carolina, compared with funding distribution provided under the already existing Basic Education Program. The distribution of low-wealth funds among counties is erratic, and the small-school funding program benefits some small-enrollment counties with…

Campus computing officials are working to improve security against computer hackers because of concerns about privacy, accidental or intentional damage to systems, and impediments to legitimate system users. Increasingly, public law enforcement authorities are called in but do not always take the problem seriously. (MSE)

Notes that corporal punishment in schools is legal in 26 states and that southern states are leaders in its use. States that legislators have passed initiatory limitations to curtail paddling, and organizations have been formed to advocate its eradication. Concludes that awareness of futility of such chastisement and that alternative forms of…

Many local and state governments have established programs to increase the number of government contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs). A question-answer format addresses concerns local school officials may have about North Carolina's M/WBE programs as they relate to school contracting. (MLF)

Gift planning is increasing in Canada's colleges and universities to offset effects of retrenchment. New annuity vehicles and the emergence of university Crown Foundations offer tax breaks that support private giving to institutions. In addition, a simplified process for gifts is anticipated. (MSE)

The politicalization of curricular innovation in a state public school district charged with the implementation of Arizona's proposed State Board Rule of 1989 for introducing elementary foreign language in grades 1-8 is discussed. The district's use of existing resources, pilot year feedback, staff development program, and external partnerships is…

Reviews state statutes that were used as a defense in cases in which seriously ill children were treated exclusively by spiritual healing practices. Such cases involve questions concerning the constitution, and the rights of parents, children, and the state. There is a trend toward legislative restrictions of the use of spiritual healing as a…

Recent state and national developments regarding assessment of higher education suggest that a decisive point for assessment policy is approaching. Too many higher education leaders remain uninvolved, and public patience is wearing thin. Increasing frustration with higher education may lead public policymakers toward greater prescription and…