For much of the last two decades, beginning with the passage of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in 2002, the top political leaders have shown concern about children stuck in failing public schools. NCLB required districts to do something -- not enough, but something -- about those schools. Millions of children still languish in low-performing schools,…

A standards-based model of reform has dominated public education for 30 years. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), it will continue to dominate education policy. Is that model working? State boards of education share an intrinsic interest in this question. While there are many ways to investigate it, one approach that shows promise treats…

This article examines the legal and political significance of teacher unionization in rural and suburban school districts between 1960 and 1975. While most historians focus on the growth of unions in urban areas, strikes in outlying districts played a determinative role in the development of public sector labor law, particularly in the arbitration…

Locally controlled public schools are one of the cornerstones of our nation's democracy, yet many schools are not preparing students for success. Far too many students are not graduating, and many of those who do graduate are woefully unprepared for college or a meaningful career. Successfully initiating and sustaining meaningful improvements in…

Submitted to the State Board of Education by the State Coordinator of American Indian Education and approved by the State Indian Education Advisory Council, this report validates the existing educational needs of Michigan's Native population and presents pertinent data with a suggested guideline for the Board to act on. The paper's purpose is to:…

Presents impressions of the first two years' impact of the block grant provisions of Chapter 2 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act on nine public schools districts and four private schools in Michigan. Briefly discusses Chapter 2's effects on intergovernmental relationships and major state actions and decisions. (PGD)

This manual is designed to be used to acquaint Michigan State school and community members with provisions and requirements of the Steward B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1990. This act authorizes local and intermediate school districts to use competitive funding and to implement innovative laws, policies, and procedures that…

This paper sets forth the position of the Michigan State Board of Education regarding bilingual instruction. First is a summary of policies already established as a result of the adoption of "The Common Goals of Michigan Education," the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court as enunciated in Lau vs Nichols, federal legislation (ESEA Title…

On July 28, 2006, a panel of experts briefed members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the putative benefits of racial and ethnic diversity in elementary and secondary education. Four experts presented written statements to the Commissioners that assessed the social science literature on this issue. They also addressed whether or not…