Parent involvement in New Mexico, and around the nation, is an essential element in the success of students and their schools. This simple point anchors the federal law known as the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001" ("NCLB"). NCLB establishes state, district and school requirements designed to promote more effective parent…

This data book represents a count of children and their well-being in society. It is intended to serve as a reference document, merging into a common format vital records (births and deaths), census information, and administrative data from many sources. The book is also intended to serve as an organized, cohesive and accurate view of how children…

Three off campus private alternative schools have been supported, in part, by the Portland, Oregon, Public Schools. The students, mostly high school age, are largely dropouts or on the verge of dropping out of school. Many were referred because of behavior, attendance, or other discipline problems. At least half of the students in each school have…

This statistical fact book was developed to help New York State communities and child advocates learn how their county compares with others in the following areas: (1) number of children living in poverty; (2) number of children living in poor households; (3) number of families needing, and number receiving, child care subsidies; (4) number of…

This is a proposal by Chaffey Community College District (CCCD) (California) to convert an existing off-campus operation in Fontana, California, to an educational center. The center would provide services to 1,529 full-time-equivalent students by the year 2010, and would provide greater access to opportunities in higher education for an…

This paper describes the current status of state poverty-based education funding programs, discussing how to implement or improve them. Researchers surveyed education finance officials in the 49 states with multiple school districts. Results indicate that 38 states currently distribute some education funds on the basis of poverty. A total of 75…

Questions have been raised about whether parents with limited English proficiency are having difficulty accessing child care and early education programs for their children. Research suggests that quality early care experiences can greatly improve the school readiness of young children. GAO was asked to provide information on: (1) the…

Mary Story, Karen Kaphingst, and Simone French argue that researchers and policymakers focused on childhood obesity have paid insufficient attention to child care. Although child care settings can be a major force in shaping children's dietary intake, physical activity, and energy balance--and thus in combating the childhood obesity…

This summary evaluates a federal demonstration program to reach "disconnected" youth not currently served by job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Disconnected youth are defined as those who have lost or never developed the traditional values of their communities, who do not participate in traditional…

To assist low achieving students in the mastery of instructional objectives in major subject areas, the Ministry of Education of Israel published definitions of Minimum Achievement Requirements (MAR) for specific subjects at all grade levels. To examine the feasibility of the MAR approach and to determine whether it contributed to the attainment…

This document reports on the second in a series of hearings on the reauthorization of expiring federal elementary and secondary education programs. Corporate business leaders presented their views on the reauthorization of Chapter 1. Five witnesses, representing manufacturing, education programs funded under the Education Improvement and…

The NCLB teacher-quality provisions are driven by research that documents the importance of teacher quality on student achievement and in closing achievement gaps. Indeed based on findings such as those indicating that (1) minority and low income students are disproportionately taught by under qualified school teachers; and (2) disadvantaged…

This report provides policymakers with detailed information on the characteristics of California's teachers. Information comes from state-collected teacher workforce data and a series of case studies conducted in schools and districts statewide in 2000 and 2001. Overall, low achieving, poor, and minority students are much more likely to have…

Eight alternative educational programs that are part of the Portland, Oregon, Public School District are reviewed in this report. Responses from principals and program coordinators at each school to a comprehensive questionnaire provide information concerning staffing, student characteristics, facilities, course offerings, expenditure per student,…

State policymakers should ensure learning standards for kindergarten are created and aligned both with early learning standards and standards for 1st grade and beyond. Learning standards for kindergarten should be implemented comprehensively across five key domains: physical and motor development, social/emotional development, approaches toward…