In the first decade of the 21st century, the nation, the states, and colleges and universities began to grapple with the challenges of globalization, changing demography, the implications of the digital era, and of a less expansive public sector. Although not a transformative period for higher education, the decade saw significant innovations in…

Embracing 4 Arizona elementary school districts (Arlington, Buckeye, Liberty, and Palo Verde) visited by consultants for evaluative purposes, this report presents information about and recommendations for the elementary schools in the Buckeye Union High School District. Summaries on the educational programs (language arts, social studies,…

Two provisions in Title I--maintenance of effort (MOE) and supplement not supplant (SNS)--are designed to limit the extent to which federal funds can be used to replace state and local resources. To assess the quality of oversight of these provisions, the General Accounting Office (GAO) determined how Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana,…

This report is a collection of five state case studies comprising a major component of the first phase of the project, "Changing Direction: Integrating Higher Education Financial Aid and Financing Policies." The project explored state-level strategies to better align financing and financial aid policies and support more informed decision…

A case study of Arizona's 1979-80 legislative session on school finance and tax reform, using survey data and interviews with legislators and representatives of special interest groups, found that no particular special interests shaped educational finance policy but that the teacher association was less effective than other groups. (RW)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) NCLB Turns Five: Key Players in Reauthorization Process Celebrate Fifth Anniversary of Landmark Education Law, Begin…

After being placed on the back burner during the 1980s, school finance is again a major issue. In the 1970s, reliance on property taxes created school district disparities because of unequal tax bases. Legislative reforms enacted between 1971 and 1985 had the following characteristics: school finance formulas were revamped; the state role in…

Explains the conflict between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of Arizona regarding educational organization and funding. Describes Arizona's history of educational reform from 1990 to 1997, the legal and political challenges to reform initiative, and the state of education in 1997. Predicts that the reform issue will not soon be…

Examined the results from the first year (1998) of the Arizona Education Tax Credit program, a law that allows individuals a dollar-for-dollar credit up to $500 for donations to private schools and a credit up to $200 for donations to public schools. Concludes that the credit increases educational inequity in Arizona, where those who are well off…

The guideline for program development for administrators, supervisors, and teachers is to be used in making decisions regarding home economics education programs in Arizona schools. It will also serve as the basis for the initiation of an extensive curriculum development at all levels and give directions as to how programs may be established,…

"R&D Alert" covers issues affecting schools in the Western Regional Educational Laboratory's four-state region--Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah--and throughout the United States. This issue focuses on early childhood education. While the importance of early childhood education has long been recognized, traditional ideas of …

This report includes a brief statement regarding the progress of Arizona's community colleges during the past fiscal year and provides statistical information on finances, enrollment, employment, and educational programs. The document includes progress reports from colleges in Arizona's 10 community college districts. Each progress report presents…

In 1993, Project FORUM issued a report (Ahearn, 1993) that provided information on resources available to states and districts in accessing Medicaid reimbursements for services for students with disabilities, a relatively new source of funding at that time. It is now over 10 years since Medicaid funds were approved for use for special education…

To increase understanding of the educational reform movement, the Center for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) embarked on a five-year study of the implementation and effects of state education reforms in six states (Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania) with diverse reform approaches. This article presents the center's…

Describes the Arizona education tax credit law as a voucher plan in disguise, and argues that the concept of justice underlying the law is an element largely missing from the school choice debate. Calls on educators and policymakers to concentrate on efforts to help needy students rather than to channel tax dollars toward self-interested ends.…