This paper explores the education policy adoption process in the Texas legislature and role of professional educators in influencing critical decisions relating to the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classes. This case study traced the wielders of power, power interactions, the actors and sources of their power, and…

This report explains how welfare reform in New Jersey has served as an occasion for attempts to restructure the relations between public agencies and private service providers, and that these attempts raise important questions about who will and ought to play a part in the state's welfare programs. The historical context for privatization has…

This report presents the response of the California State Postsecondary Education Commission to the State of California Legislature's mandate for biennial segment reports from the University of California, California State University, and the California Community Colleges on their efforts to implement State policy regarding development programs…

The current accountability movement in education is examined in terms of its historical antecedents and federal versus state initiatives and requirements. The assumptions underlying the educational accountability movement are then considered, and refinements and extensions to these assumptions are proposed. The accountability movement in American…

This paper focuses on the identification and implementation of an adequate and appropriate funding mechanism or mechanisms for the funding of rural library services in Idaho. It is noted that the data for the report were taken primarily from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, with additional data from a 1990 survey of state library officials. The…

Three conference papers on school finance reform in Tennessee are presented in this document, with a focus on the disparities between rural and urban public school funding. The first paper examines the nature and size of contributions of various funding sources to the per-pupil revenue in local school districts, analyzes specific problems of the…

Compiled to provide a central reference point for all legislative information pertaining to libraries in the State of Texas, this publication includes all pertinent legislation as amended through the 71st Legislature, 1989, Regular Session. This update of the 1980 edition has been expanded to include statutes pertaining to the school and academic…

The materials in this manual are intended to provide the introductory information needed by new system advisory council members and staff of the Texas State Library on the history, role, governance, funding, services, and administration of library systems. Included in this handbook are discussions of: (1) The Role of Systems in Public Library…

This report contains the results of a nationwide survey of state and territorial regulatory agencies. The purpose of the study was to gather information on day care center licensing and regulation. In May 1991, questionnaires were sent to the central day care regulatory agency in each of 53 states and territories. In an introductory section of the…

The Florida Model Literacy Program Act of 1987, known as the Florida Adult Literacy Act, committed the state to an organized, systematic, and coordinated attack on adult illiteracy at the state and local levels. The Florida Adult Literacy Plan was developed to implement the provisions of the act and provide a basis for state and local planning…

This literature review examines alternative routes to teacher certification and presents alternative certification regulations and policies for 19 states. Three categories of nontraditional personnel preparation programs are noted: nontraditional recruitment programs, retraining programs, and alternative certification programs. A definition of…

This booklet is designed to help parents make their children's first days in school successful and exciting. It also answers questions about school entrance requirements in Virginia and suggests ways parents can be involved in their children's education. The first sections offer information on entrance age and compulsory school age, requirements…

The National Family Day Care Project (NFDCP) was undertaken by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) to create and support demonstration projects for community-based organizations to ensure the availability of high quality family day care. During the first 2 years of the 4-year project, NCJW volunteers in 31 communities in 21 states assessed…

In March 1990, the Washington State Legislature adopted the Learning by Choice Law, a law relating to student enrollment options. The law consists of three major components: Family Choice; Running Start; and Seventh and Eighth Grade Choice. The Family Choice law allows parents to select which public school(s) their children will attend, within…

Alaskans are increasingly dissatisfied with the performance of their schools. Many students are poorly educated, have low self-esteem, and suffer other social problems. The Alaskan Joint House-Senate Committee on School Performance was created to set priorities for ways to improve school performance. The committee was guided by three basic…