Examines outcomes associated with enactment of Colorado's Second Chance Pilot Program for high school dropouts. The satisfaction reported by 396 Second Chance students and the waiting lists for program enrollment demonstrate the potential for recovering students who have dropped out of school. Limitations of the program are discussed. (SLD)

Examines the history and various educational constructs underlying different programs for at-risk students and recent federal and state legislative definitions of at-risk students. Presents a legal analysis of the different types of definitions; determines the social construction of reality implicit in the definitions and poses possible…

A decade after the initiation of the current major education reform movement, evidence from the education community suggests that, although progress is being made, it is slow. Successful reform will require that K-12 teaching and teacher education programs be more integrally linked and that efforts be comprehensive and sustainable. (MSE)

Two vignettes illustrate the new roles and responsibilities of primary grade and high school teachers under the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). Effects of the KERA on the changing needs and roles of teachers engaged in systemic reform are discussed. Classroom practice is becoming more activity centered. (SLD)

Institutional researchers should know state and federal laws and attorneys general opinions applicable to higher education concerning open meetings and open records, and be prepared for information requests by media and concerned citizens. Case law is examined, and practical steps researchers can take are outlined, including knowing who will…

Chief state finance officers of 24 states were surveyed to discover state legislatures' response to school-finance litigation affecting small and rural school districts. In 17 of 21 states with final constitutionality rulings, funding formulas for rural districts did not change as a result. (Contains 25 references.) (MLH)

Authors discuss several key legal issues involving the testing and licensing of teachers to improve educational quality. Primary focus is on federal constitutional and statutory issues in testing those who belong to different racial/ethnic, gender, age, language, and disability groups. Addresses legal implications of new testing requirements in…

In response to ongoing court battles regarding the adequacy and equity of Arkansas' education system, the state's lawmakers have effected school reforms in many areas over the past few years, including nearly a 30 percent increase in educational expenditures from 2003-04 to 2004-05. The authors distributed a confidential survey to all 254 school…

This booklet lists the laws that relate to Nebraska social studies. The volume is intended for administrators, teachers, and curriculum planners to assist them to do a more thorough job of planning social studies programs. The Nebraska Social Studies Statutes are designed to be a primary tool in developing a district's curriculum, as they speak to…

This report describes state educational standards in effect for the 1989-90 school year. It is the third report in a series that has tracked state standards since 1984-85. The first part of the report summarizes state educational standards for the 1989-90 school year and the changes that took place across the states between 1984-85 and 1989-90.…

This paper describes the views of special education directors in 17 Kentucky school districts concerning effects of a 1990 law, the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), which called for systemwide change in education and instituted a finance system, Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK), which uses a pupil weighting system. The study…

This report describes and analyzes state support for higher education in fiscal year 1995 in tables, graphs, and text. The report provides: an analysis of funding trends nationwide; a national map showing percentages of 2-year gains for all states; a table showing appropriations amounts by state for the most recent 3 years as well as percentage…

Many service systems have fundamentally reoriented services by creating infrastructures that link resources from many parts of the community. This paper reviews 50 comprehensive community-based initiatives and describes their costs, results, and methods of finance. The overview defines comprehensive community-based initiatives and outlines…

This publication summarizes approximately 300 laws and resolutions concerning adolescent health and related issues passed by the 50 states, and U.S. commonwealths and territories between 1992 and 1994. The state legislation reflects the health problems that, on the whole, involve preventable behavior. Brief descriptions of laws are provided…

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) recently established the "Technology Scholarship Program for Alabama Teachers" (TSPAT). Jacksonville State University (JSU) is one of the state institutions participating in the program, which was funded by Act 93-636 of the Alabama Legislature. The program addresses technological…