This is a collection of papers from a 2001 symposium at Harvard University entitled "State Merit Aid Programs: College Access and Equity." After a Foreword by Gary Orfield, the seven papers are (1) "State Merit Scholarship Programs: An Introduction" (Donald E. Heller); (2) "Merit Scholarships and College Access: Evidence…

In "Durant v. State of Michigan," resulting in a $212 million settlement to 83 districts, the Michigan Supreme Court addressed state deficiencies in funding special education. This article examines implications of "Durant" for other educational programs. Michigan is still trying to shun responsibility for educating disabled…

In order to acquaint Indian and non-Indian educators, legislators, and other concerned individuals with the status of Indian education in all 50 states, data has been gathered regarding policy statements that are under consideration or have already been implemented by state boards of education and state legislation, appropriations, and resolutions…

Presented are eight articles and five brief position papers given at an institute devoted to planning for early diagnosis and educational evaluation of handicapped children affected by a new Michigan law which mandates educational programs from the time of birth to the age of 25 years for all handicapped persons previously excluded from public…

This study examines whether there is disproportionate discipline of minority students in Michigan's public schools and assesses the enforcement efforts of State and Federal agencies to ensure equal educational opportunity in this regard. The extent to which minority students were being disproportionately suspended and expelled was studied, as were…

This report reviews policies, practices, and strategies that state departments of education are using to infuse equity and excellence into their ongoing science, mathematics, and technology systemic reform efforts. Lessons learned and discussed are primarily from state departments of education in Florida, Michigan, and South Dakota. In addition,…

THE SCHOOL IS A BASIC INSTRUMENT IN SECURING THE AMERICAN GOALS OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO ACHIEVE RACIALLY INTEGRATED SCHOOLS, FOR PRESENCE OF CHILDREN FROM VARIED RACIAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE PREPARATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN MODERN…

This survey of students enrolled in Michigan's colleges and universities in the fall of 1966 involved 6,928 Negroes, 1,049 Orientals, 250 American Indians, and 164,221 whites. The study revealed more Negro than white female enrollments, a Negro drop-out rate nearly double that of whites, and more Negroes than whites in graduate and graduate…

This document examines legal issues regarding the education and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students and the responsibilities of school personnel to protect them. Part 1, "Issues of Freedom," discusses whether students have the right to form LGBT student groups, to express their points of view on LGBT issues,…

This report summarizes the 2005-2006 evaluation results of the Michigan Freedom to Learn (FTL) program. The major goal of the FTL program is to improve student learning and achievement in Michigan schools through the integration of 21st Century technology tools with teaching and learning in K-12 classrooms. A key component of FTL was a rigorous…

This study compares the knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of physical education teachers in urban and rural areas, with regard to multicultural education. A mailed questionnaire was completed by 70 public school physical education teachers, 44 from rural Kansas and 26 from Detroit and Flint, Michigan. Of those responding to specific…

Part of a three-volume report on the effects of school finance reform, this volume summarizes principal findings of the studies presented in the other volumes. The report summarizes school finance reforms enacted between 1972 and 1974 in California, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, and New Mexico. It recounts what happened to school taxing and spending…

Equality of access to postsecondary study in Michigan is discussed in terms of the establishment of a system of higher education that would provide equity in terms of: (1) individual selection and support services, (2) student financial assistance options, and (3) institutional and programmatic articulation. A synthesis of several major past…

Under the plan described in this report--a so-called "Equal Yield" formula contained in Senate Bill No. 110--each district will have an equal opportunity to realize the same amount of revenue per pupil from each unit or "mill" of local tax levied in combined State and local funds. The publication examines in detail several key…

While policy-makers and educational administrators decry the underrepresentation of African American students in institutions of higher education, groups like the Center for Individual Rights (CIR) work to limit African American presence on campuses even more. While innovative programmers build programs that will attract African American students…