Discusses research that addresses court decisions emerging during the third wave of school-finance litigation as related to children with special needs. Recent state supreme court decisions in Alabama, Wyoming, and Ohio address the constitutionality of the general and special-education finance systems. All systems were judged inequitable. Contains…

This volume on leadership practices is designed to serve as a professional handbook for directors of vocational education. Ten major areas of educational responsibility are discussed: (1) selection and improvement of staff (e.g., job descriptions, tenure, and evaluation of teacher effectiveness); (2) curriculum development (e.g., advisory…

On July 19, 1968, a Task Force on Vocational and Technical Education was created by the governor of Ohio to develop proposals for organization, financing, and legislation. Some major problems to which the Task Force gave attention were: (1) the serious gap between the need for and the availability of vocational and technical education, (2) the…

At the request of Ohio's top government and education leaders, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, National Association of Charter School Authorizers, and National Alliance for Public Charter Schools have issued a report seeking to strengthen the state's charter school program. Among its 17 recommendations are calls for closing low-performing charter…

Recommendations were made for improving articulation between and identifying ways to increase the effectiveness of Ohio's secondary and postsecondary vocational and technical education institutions. The study focused on four areas crucial in Ohio: program articulation between secondary and postsecondary institutions; collaboration with business…

This document is comprised of two main parts: (1) Role and Nature of State Leadership; and (2) Developing Leaders. Issues related to state leadership for career and technical education (CTE) were studied. CTE-related research, policy, and practice were reviewed. State directors of CTE were surveyed, and 39 individuals considered opinion leaders in…

Findings of a study that examined the relationship between Ohio school district income levels and student testing performance are presented in this paper. The first statistical analysis categorized districts by residents' average income, and the second analysis classified them according to the percentage of families receiving Aid to Dependent…

The Madison, Perry, and Painesville Township school districts in northeastern Ohio pooled their resources and ran a joint tax levy campaign in 1990. The districts also developed a formula to distribute new tax revenues on an equalized per pupil basis. The Perry nuclear power plant was the key to the financing district's success. (MLH)

This document proposes a plan to significantly increase the number of fully prepared freshmen at Ohio's colleges and universities by the year 2001. The plan, prepared by the Ohio Secondary and Higher Education Remediation Advisory Commission, makes five recommendations: (1) communicate a consistent set of college-level expectations and articulate…

Because the amount of state-equalization aid received by Ohio school districts is inevitably related to district wealth, the measure of district ability is a concern. This paper presents findings of a study that used computer simulation to examine the effect of proposed modifications to district-revenue capacity on the equity of Ohio…

A 2-hour videotape presentation explores the crisis in school building quality in the United States as illustrated by public schools found in Ohio; the challenges dilapidated school facilities impose on child health, safety, and the physical learning environment; and the difference that money makes in providing high-quality educational facilities.…

Reviews the school finance reforms in Ohio since 1975 and analyzes the state aid distribution, comparative distribution of state and local revenue, and equalization of property tax revenues. Discusses the options available to the Ohio legislature to approach distribution equity for funds currently in the system. (JW)

In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court declared the state's educational finance system unconstitutional, allowing 1 year to enact a systemic overhaul. After 3 years of public controversy, plaintiffs and the state are contesting the sufficiency of the state's response. A court-supervised remedial process may be necessary. (86 footnotes) (MLH)

This book provides Ohio citizens with information on school tax issues and levy campaigning. The material is presented in a structural step-by-step process that lends itself to the practical application for preparing a levy. This book is a guide to understanding various tax issues, tax reduction factors, and the changing tax duplicate that affects…

Examines contradictions between school accountability legislation and the moral leadership applicable to its development and implementation. Using the ethics of critique, justice, and care, analyzes Ohio's recent fiscal and accountability legislation, which may be setting school districts up for failure. Policymakers must examine their moral…