In recent years public interest in the problems of children who have exceptional educational needs has grown very rapidly. This interest has been especially strong in problems of mentally retarded children. Some of the causes of this development can be identified. The success of specialized programs for teaching these children is one of the more…

Since 1968, Quebec province has subsidized private schools by a voucher system. This analytical literature review describes that system; summarizes information since 1968 on Quebec private schooling; and compares, using price theoretic concepts, Quebec's public and private education sectors in terms of economically efficient resource allocation.…

Reviews lower court developments in 1995 that applied and developed earlier Supreme Court precedents concerning employment discrimination in higher education in the areas of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin under state and federal laws; gender discrimination under state and federal law, including two cases of voluntary…

Since passage of Maryland State Senate Bill 795, the Baltimore City Public School System has implemented and advanced on a broad, multipronged front to enhance the quality, stability, and effectiveness of its school workforce. Examines four prongs: recruitment, retention, professional development, and performance evaluation of teachers and…

Conflicts between parents' wishes and school authorities' decisions have historically occurred in several areas, including compulsory education, special education, and curriculum. Reviews legal precedents for parental rights, explores current court cases involving parent/school authority conflicts, and critiques recent state legislation concerning…

Summarizes findings of a 50-state survey of state laws, regulations, and guidelines concerning religion and moral education. Describes legislation affecting the curriculum, student and teacher behavior, and nonpublic schools in 30 topic areas. Reports the need for further verification and clarification. Finds minimal regional differences.…

Education reform is taking a silent toll on school boards, says the president of the American Federation of Teachers. Cites laws in a number of states that weaken school boards' authority. Advocates a national debate about problems with school boards before changing the organizational structure. (MLF)

Two federal statutes govern the provisions for special education in public schools. Briefly describes these laws and some of the challenges to their compliance within the school choice context. Describes and analyzes four case studies representing four types of school choice plans currently in operation. Offers recommendations for policymakers.…

Seven common criteria for establishment of a new community college in the United States are outlined. They include local population and demographic factors; community interest; funding availability; appropriate state regulation; assessment of existing educational opportunities; and geographic location and logistics. (MSE)

Asserts that tolerance is a fundamental part of democracy. Presents a lesson plan to help students understand tolerance as it applies to homosexuality. Includes student objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and a student handout featuring Oregon's proposed minority status and Child Protection Act. (CFR)

Budgetary and fiscal data from 11 school districts of varying wealth in New Jersey suggest that, in the first year of the state's Quality Education Act, the law has only modestly increased fiscal equality, with only minor cuts in funding in wealthy districts and some program improvement in poorer ones. (SLD)

Explores elements of the design of school choice programs, defining outcomes and technical criteria. These criteria are applied to failed choice initiatives in three states and to a proposed initiative in California, the Parents' Choice in Education Amendment. Differential effects in urban and suburban schools are considered. (SLD)

Highlights four themes of special education: (1) role of the federal government; (2) mandatory collaboration among professionals; (3) mandatory tailoring of the child's educational program; and (4) parent involvement. Cites South Carolina legislation and discusses the extension of the principles of special education to regular education. (MLF)

Describes a case study of 12 elementary schools (emphasizing 2 schools) affected by the Chicago School Reform Act, focusing on local contexts and features of school communities that advance or impede change. Results demonstrate the importance of neighborhood contexts and school leadership and the complexities of applying technical expertise. (SLD)

A survey indicates that student complaints led legislators in 20 states to mandate that higher education institutions develop policies on oral English proficiency of instructors, including language certification for international teaching assistants. Many institutions responded with policies requiring formal language testing and remedial…