With the passage of Article 31, Rhode Island set out to transform the state's education system. This report is the first annual analysis of the work catalyzed by Article 31. Section 1 briefly outlines the events leading to this historic initiative. Section 2 describes the 1996-97 student assessment results, which are the baseline against which…

Feature articles contained in the four issues of volume 6 of this periodical for families who practice home schooling concern the response of the United States Senate to political pressure from home schoolers; a "declaration of war" on religious freedom by conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court; the likelihood that the Congress will pass a…

Although their perspectives differ, this volume's contributors agree that the home schooling movement offers an intriguing critique of traditional education. While nationally publicized school improvement measures call for increased bureaucratization, professionalism, and standardization, a growing number of families are choosing to forego…

An initiative of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications is a membership organization working to strengthen the efficiency, impact, and quality of educational telecommunications systems and programs. Most of the members are institutions of higher education, but the…

This practical manual provides useful, concrete ideas and suggestions to help public libraries make libraries more accessible to persons with disabilities. Most suggestions are for persons who have difficulty with mobility. Reviews of pertinent laws and regulations are followed by concrete, step-by step suggestions for planning for accessibility,…

Alaska Statute 14.03.120 mandates that each school district file an annual educational planning report that establishes its educational improvement goals and priorities and outlines strategies for achieving and measuring these goals and for ensuring community participation. Although each district has developed its own goals, strategies, and…

This budget summary document provides detailed listings of the allocation of funds for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for 1992-1993. The first sections include the state superintendent's budget recommendations, a description of the fiscal year in review, a mission statement, organizational goals, and legislative initiatives…

This guide was developed to help Wisconsin agency assessment, evaluation, and planning personnel to develop a perspective on how needs assessment fits into their state's vocational rehabilitation program planning. It is intended to offer practical and responsible suggestions that meet the intent of federal and state mandates. Volume I of the guide…

Presented in a question and answer format, this guide integrates Texas and federal standards (under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) for students with dyslexia and related disorders. An overview summarizes the four phases of the approved process for determining the presence of dyslexia as well as principles of required evaluation…

In 1991, the Oregon Legislature passed a landmark educational reform bill, the "Oregon Education Act for the 21st Century," providing for an extended school year, instructional accountability, establishment of state-funded, alternative learning centers, and a restructured high school program issuing certificates of mastery. High school…

This paper presents a history of four historically Black colleges in Maryland: Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. The history begins with a section on the education of Blacks before 1800, a period in which there is little evidence of formal education for African…

Findings of a study that examined the effectiveness of Alaska's Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) on labor relations between school employees and local school districts are presented in this report. Methodology involved: (1) document analysis; (2) interviews with members of professional organizations, district administrators, presidents and…

The Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board renegotiated reciprocity agreements with Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia in light of state legislation curbing and reducing tuition waiver reciprocity. Legislation in 1992 required state institutions to reduce the total amount of operating fee revenue waived by 6.6 percent and allowed…

In 1991, the Oregon State Legislature passed the Educational Act for the 21st Century. Since then, schools around the state have reacted in a variety of ways in an attempt to meet or avoid the law's requirements. A survey of schools and focus-group data from 18 Oregon schools were used to examine the policy articulation process from three…

Connecticut has adopted a moderate approach to communications infrastructure modernization, covering a 4-year implementation period from 1993 to 1996. The state's remote educational framework, with regulatory enhancements, will allow the state to be technologically competitive with neighboring states as it allows subscribers to use evolving…