This paper highlights recent trends, issues, and research related to the roles and authority of states in policies for teachers and teaching. A review of literature demonstrates an increased role for state policymakers in education decision making. Decisions that had typically been within the domain of professional educators are now subject to…

Many at-risk student intervention programs are not affordable for small rural schools. The Cooperative Alternative Program (CAP), a cooperative dropout prevention program administered by six western Texas rural school districts, is described in this report. The program is designed to meet graduation requirements, teach vocational skills, provide…

This technical report examines legal and policy issues affecting agencies offering alcohol and other drug prevention and treatment services to youth. Specific issues covered include: (1) whether such agencies must comply with federal laws and regulations governing confidentiality of patient records, and, if they must comply, how they must do so;…

The result of a comprehensive review by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges of the minimum standards entitling community college districts to receive state aid, this report provides background information, summarizes proposed changes, and offers the complete text of a revised set of regulations. Section I presents…

Based on reports generated by the Michigan office of the Project on Equal Education Rights (PEER), this report documents how schools in Michigan perpetuate sex bias/discrimination, and describes what is being done to encourage sex equity. The report also examines the extent of school compliance with Title IX (Education Amendments of 1972), which…

Because of the poor response rate to St. Johns River Community College's follow-up surveys on program completers, the college decided to develop a postcard format survey form in the hope of improving survey response rates. After reviewing a similar follow-up survey postcard used by another two-year college in Florida, the project staff settled on…

The ways collective bargaining affects the operation of public schools are identified. Teachers covered by bargaining agreements, compared with teachers not covered, receive higher salaries and teach smaller classes. They also spend slightly less time instructing students but more time preparing for classes. The major difference detected in the…

As part of an ongoing effort to examine the quality of the New York State educational system, the State Senate Task Force on Critical Problems has compiled this report on the relationship between the nonpublic school sector and the state, as a basis for formulating consistent and effective educational policies. The first section examines why…

The provisions of "sunshine" or "open meeting" laws are discussed to assist governing boards and chief executive officers of public universities and colleges. These laws stipulate that the business of the public must be conducted in public. Topics include: the legal constitution of a meeting, personnel matters, collective…

Hearings were held in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., to receive testimony concerning the Parental and Medical Leave Act of 1987, a bill intended to promote the economic security of many families by providing for job-protected leave for parents upon the birth, adoption, or serious illness of a child, and temporary medical leave when a child's…

An overview of the process of university participation in state politics is provided, including the way in which a university interacts with the governor's office and the way it competes with other universities and other agencies for budget dollars. The following 23 articles are included: "The Influence of State Constitutional Conventions on the…

Summaries of conference presentations on college savings and prepayment plans and related tax, policy, and social issues are provided. The conference objective was to communicate the issues to constituents with the most at stake: parents, students, and relatives; state and federal legislators and staff; and developers of plans for higher education…

It is the theme of this paper that economic prosperity and public education are inseparable; yet, both are lacking in Louisiana. The lack of excellence in education is a liability for stimulating and accelerating the growth and diversification of business and industry. In particular, educational mediocrity is evidenced in the following: (1)…

In 1987, exacting sessions in the Texas State Legislature over higher education appropriations, and a subsequent veto by the governor of a 7% increase in community college funding, convinced officials in the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) that a heightened legislative focus was necessary. A study was conducted to determine the…

An overview is provided of apprenticeship programs offered by the California community colleges. First, the report describes apprenticeships, indicating that modern programs include school-based supplemental instruction to ensure that apprentices possess skills and knowledge beyond just the manual tasks related to the occupation that are learned…