This paper reports on the protracted history of the Arkansas school-finance case, the longest-running school-finance lawsuit in the United States. It details in chronological sequence the lawsuit filed in 1992 by the Lakeview School District, a very small all African-American school district alleging that the state school-finance plan was…

In a report issued in September 2000, the Federal Trade Commission reported that the motion picture, music recording, and electronic game segments of the entertainment industry intentionally promoted products to children that warranted parent cautions. This report responds to the request of the Senate Commerce Committee by focusing on advertising…

In a report issued in September 2000, the Federal Trade Commission contended that the motion picture, music recording, and electronic game industries had engaged in widespread marketing of violent movies, music, and games to children inconsistent with their own parental advisories and undermining parents attempts to make informed decisions about…

These guidelines are intended to assist North Dakota special educators and administrators in providing procedural safeguards including prior written notice and parental consent. Guidelines are closely correlated with requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1997. Each section of these guidelines summarizes relevant…

This report from the United States Commission on Civil Rights focuses specifically on the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce Title II, Subtitle A of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability by public entities such as state and local governments. The report evaluates DOJ's…

This document provides a variety of materials concerned with confidentiality issues in special education and suggested activities for using the materials in staff development. The first item is a list of 13 general rules for maintaining confidentiality in the internal communications of a school or school system. The second item is a list of 10…

A review of the literature on the impact of student financial aid on its stated goals of student access, choice, and retention concludes that its principal objectives are being accomplished. Further research is recommended, to be funded in part by a portion of the public aid allocated for financial aid. (MSE)

Several lawsuits in Connecticut have led to an attempt to develop public criteria for making residential placements of exceptional children for educational rather than noneducational reasons. This article delineates criteria for making the decision, the processes by which these criteria were developed, and the rationale behind them. (MLF)

Executive Order 12356 prescribes a system for classifying information based on national security concerns. The order gives unprecedented authority to government officials to intrude at will in controlling academic research that depends on federal support, posing a serious threat to academic freedom and hence to scientific advances and national…

Describes changes in the educational policy environment resulting from federal involvement. Examines the problems of federal regulation, control of policy processes by interested groups, the proliferation or "crowding" of educational policies, and explores probable policy constraints on the "new federalism" and futures-planning…

In the revocation of Bob Jones University's tax exemption because of prohibition of interracial dating, these questions are addressed: Has the IRS the authority to interpret public policy, and if so, may it impinge on free exercise of religious beliefs that favor some organizations over others? (Author/MSE)

A new approach is needed to develop effective energy education programs. Energy education for teachers will be increasingly based on cooperative efforts between teacher education programs, school districts, energy companies, federal agencies, and environmental organizations. (JN)

Reviews the background, intent, and provisions of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA), a law designed to simplify and consolidate 30 Federal elementary and secondary education assistance programs. Asserts that significant deregulation will not occur under ECIA, and that the Act will create as many problems as it solves. (GC)

Legal and policy challenges may occur in institutions affiliating with both the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women in areas concerning women's sports. The critical question is how to maintain necessary financial support for viable women's programs. (MSE)

Research on new administrative campus positions (e.g., affirmative action officers) created by extensive federal involvement in higher education is reported. It is suggested that these positions have not contributed significantly to the expansion of administrative access for women and minorities. (Author/MLW)