Historically, U.S. school districts have led schooling, while state education agencies (SEAs) have held a largely regulatory role in school improvement. Yet, a recent reform strategy, the "state takeover," allows an SEA to assume direct governance of a low-performing district -- potentially creating a much more active role for state…

The purpose of this policy study was to report descriptive research on state-level policy and frameworks for accountability systems of alternative education in the United States. The six states; California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and North Carolina; identified in the 2010 Jobs for the Futures policy analysis of alternative education…

A study was undertaken to develop a profile of department and division chairs appointed during the 1995-96 academic year in Texas institutions of higher education. Survey results were used to determine chairs' perceptions of the transition process into their new roles and to find methods to facilitate that transition. Questionnaires were…

This paper reports on efforts of several states in the southern United States (Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia) to respond to the mandate for training early childhood special education professionals. The paper describes how teacher certification standards are being met in these states and examines the role of the state…

Texas' Functional Approach Categories and Technique Strategies (FACTS) Language Arts Model was designed to assist teachers of limited-English-proficient (LEP) children in effective instruction of communication skills. To do this, children (1) must be taught that language is an adaptable instrument that helps them fulfill their needs, and (2) must…