To eliminate mishandling of child abuse cases caused by a lack of interagency cooperation, the state of Georgia mandated that formal interagency committees be established. This article discusses the committees' activity levels and changes in organizational patterns brought about by the committee system. Offers insight into how nonfunded mandates…

Summarizes Kentucky's progress toward educational equity, concentrating on (1) the Kentucky Supreme Court's 1989 decision declaring the state's educational finance system unconstitutional and (2) a description and preliminary evaluation of the state's new four-part funding formula featuring pupil weighted averages for expenditure by wealth…

To increase understanding of the educational reform movement, the Center for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) embarked on a five-year study of the implementation and effects of state education reforms in six states (Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania) with diverse reform approaches. This article presents the center's…

Compares voter turnout in California school board elections when elections were scheduled in even-numbered years rather than odd-numbered years. Findings from selected school districts since 1985 show significant differences in voter turnout depending on the year: 43.85% voter turnout occurred in even-numbered years compared to 20.79% in odd. (GLR)

Support for Minnesota's cross-district public school choice laws is strong. In 1992, 76% of Minnesotans favored choice as 1 part of the comprehensive reforms needed. This article debunks seven widely circulated myths about the state's choice plans, particularly regarding program effects, benefits for disadvantaged students, parental selection…

A 1997 Texas law requires universities to admit the top 10% percent of seniors from each Texas high school, opening a door for many Hispanic and Black seniors in schools with high minority populations. Observers are concerned some students may be underprepared for university work. Elite public universities around the country are watching to see if…

Describes the background and outcome of the McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education case heard in federal court in the early 1980s. The decision repealed a legislative act which called for "equal time" in science classrooms for presenting evolution and creationism. The decision also established that "creation science" had no scientific merit or…

This study examined provisions for special education services in state charter school legislation through document reviews, a survey of charter schools, interviews, and site visits to four Colorado charter schools. It found significant variability across states and among the Colorado charter schools in how students with disabilities access the…

Describes six legislative efforts to point out pros and cons of the legislative approach to promoting child safety. Three efforts are intended to prevent injury-producing events from occurring. Three others illustrate the value of laws designed to prevent injuries once an injury-producing event occurs. Offers recommendations for maximizing the…

Offers guidelines, culled from interviews with school board members and administrators, for school-board oversight of charter schools. (LMI)

Literature on college faculty workload and productivity is reviewed from four perspectives: issues in defining and measuring workload and productivity; status of research on workload and productivity; legislation, policies, and related external activities at the state level; and explanations for a perceived decline in academic productivity.…

Survey of parents and guardians of 911 North Dakota students applying for open enrollment found that general education, family convenience, proximity, and school atmosphere/values/philosophy were the most important reasons for choosing a district outside their home district. Responders' educational level and income were higher than those of the…

A surprising upturn in fall 1998 college enrollments is attributed largely to increases in the number of high school graduates but also to some state policies concerning admission to state institutions. While campus officials are pleased at the trend, many are struggling to find housing for the students. (MSE)

A 1990 lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois' school-finance system was dismissed twice by lower courts and finally by the state supreme court in 1996. Lacking pressure to change, the legislature failed to pass necessary educational adequacy, equity, and tax-relief legislation. The status quo prevailed. (Contains 10 references.)…

Focuses on Proposition 187, which would have forced the expulsion of undocumented immigrant children from California public schools, required educators to report them and their parents to federal immigration authorities, and prevented undocumented immigrants from receiving social and health care. Considers the aftermath of Proposition 187…