In October 1989 the Texas Supreme Court declared the public school finance system unconstitutional in "Edgewood ISD (Independent School District) v. Kirby" and required implementation of a new system by September 1, 1990. Four special legislative sessions resulted in the enactment of SB 1, which revises the school finance system and…

During the 1988-89 school year, two local school districts were placed into "Phase III" of the Kentucky Educational Improvement Act (1978), a category of state receivership in which much local decision-making power was transferred to Kentucky Department of Education officials. When state education department intervention occurs, major…

State education reform efforts, like national proposals for educational excellence, have blamed poor schooling for widening the gulf between poor and rich and influencing economic and industrial decline. Improved schools will supposedly restore economic health to society and its individual citizens. This conflation of educational reform and…

The Task Force on Teaching was asked to gather research, review literature, and collect testimony on improving teaching. Two papers are presented: (1) "Attracting and Retaining Talented Teachers" (Cindy K. Currence); and (2) "Building State Strategies to Attract and to Retain Talented Teachers" (Robert Palaich). This report…

Several approaches that policymakers may wish to consider in enacting and sustaining educational excellence are summarized. This issue brief draws from presentations given at two sessions on education and excellence held at the 1983 meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures. California's approach is highlighted, based on the…

The four sections of this final report, which follow the initial executive summary, present outcomes of Massachusetts' 2-year effort to strengthen and expand high quality, affordable day care services. Section I focuses on the supply of and demand for day care services in the state. Section II explores aspects of public and private partnerships,…

A study examined the degree to which states are working on integrating vocational-technical education and instruction in basic academic skills. Usable information was provided by 29 of the 30 states contacted. Nearly all of the states belong to one or more of the various consortia developing the applied math, communications, principles of…

Three separate booklets present the results of the 1981, 1982, and 1983 Surveys of the States and Territories, covering library service activities in these areas and reviewing overall progress made toward the resolutions of the 1979 White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIST). Individual questionnaires completed by…

As popular support grows for improving education, the states are considering many different ways to attract better teachers into teaching and keep good teachers in the schools. Proposed reforms are being widely discussed, in national reports, state legislatures, and many other forums across the nation. Less widely discussed but also important are…

The second in a series, this volume highlights 18 indicators of children's well-being in the 50 states and presents case studies of 5 states' strategies to prevent various problems among the birth to 5-year-old population. Indicators are grouped according to factors that may place young children at risk; these include: (1) mandatory kindergarten…

South Carolina's comprehensive Education Improvement Act of 1984 includes provisions for the development and implementation of statewide incentive pay programs for teachers, principals, and schools. The provision affecting teachers mandates the development and field testing of up to three programs between 1984 and 1986 and the implementation of…

In the course of developing and passing the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984, those behind the legislative effort observed that several factors affect successful educational reform. First, reform must be comprehensive. The 1984 act has provisions relating to academic standards, basic skills, instructional improvement,…

A variety of approaches used by the states in preparing and utilizing institutional role and mission statements are examined. Purposes of delineating institutional missions are identified, along with components of role and mission statements. General statements of purpose and profiles of current programs and activities are provided in the mission…

The social history of the Free Kindergarten Union of the State of Victoria, Australia, from inception in 1908 to the year 1980 is recorded in this book. Growth of the union is described within the context of the World Wars, the Depression, and urbanization and industrialization. The story begins with volunteerism and philanthropy, and with four…

The threatened loss of more than $4.5 billion in federal funds over the next 2 years leaves New York State with three options: to increase state taxes drastically, an action that could jeopardize the state's recent emergence from severe economic crisis; to curtail state services significantly; or to devise a creative new strategy including an…