As examples of the trend towards decision-making processes resting on the interaction of various legitimate public sector interests, the author considers outside forces producing operational strictures within the system, including executive orders, lapsing and allotment procedures, accounting requirements, information demands, legal opinions,…

Results of school district reorganization may be viewed in a number of ways. Frequently progress is measured in terms of the number of local districts eliminated by incorporating their territory in larger units. Results may likewise be measured by increases in the number of new districts having certain characteristics of size or other features…

Includes "A Capital Connection: In Washington State Educators and Legislators Find Common Ground" (Lozada); "Changing Voters' Minds in Cincinnati" (Ciancio); and "In California, Businesses and Schools Recognize Their Interdependence." (SK)

Describes three law suits filed by part-time community college faculty members in Washington State for retirement benefits, health care benefits, and unpaid wages and overtime. Notes that college officials insist they have violated no state laws. Reports on the development of a lobbying group among the state's thousands of part-time faculty…

In Washington state, two initiatives and several bills allowing charter schools have failed since 1995, although support has been growing. Supporters feel that charter schools will keep parents connected to public education and prevent talented teachers from leaving the field. Opponents claim that charter schools divert resources away from public…

The Reading First Initiative supports the importance of classroom teachers' use of diagnostic tests that are "scientifically based." This article focuses on the new assessment known as DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills. DIBELS is composed of the following subtests: phonological awareness (recognizing initial…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Response to Intervention: A New Approach to Reading Instruction Aims to Catch Struggling Readers Early (Nancy Walser); (2) Getting Advisory Right: Focus and…

With passage of House Bill 3103 in 2004, the Legislature recognized the challenges facing students as they move from one educational sector to another. The omnibus legislation, which amended and clarified the mission of the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) called on the board to work with the state board of education, the superintendent…

Money to operate Washington's public schools comes from state, local, and federal sources. For the 1995-96 school year, total combined revenue exceeded $5 billion. The largest share of Washington's operating budget is devoted to K-12 education. This paper portrays critical features of Washington's school finance system. It first examines current…

This case study reports on a program that permits waivers of individual rules in order to encourage local innovation. Enacted in 1989, Washington State's Schools for the 21st Century program allows participating schools and districts to request waivers from state rules believed to impede restructuring efforts. The pilot project also supplies…

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) of the state of Washington is charged with the responsibility for approval of new degree programs to be offered by public four-year institutions. It is responsible for the review and approval of both on- and off-campus programs, including branch campus offerings. This report offers guidelines and…

In Washington, legislative and administrative rules of the State Board of Education have conferred protections of constitutional due process on public school students. The author examines the regulatory framework and effects concluding that the Washington due process rules should serve as a model for other states. (JT)

This document comprises the mandatory report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Washington State legislature on proposed methods of controlling health care costs for school employees. It focuses on the costs to Washington's 296 school districts of providing health care coverage for approximately 80,000 employees. The introduction…

The purpose of this handbook is to assist school districts in their formulation of policies and strategies related to equal opportunity in physical education, recreation and athletics. Five aspects of policy implementation: (1) all involved, particularly personnel in the public education system, must accept both the advantages and disadvantages of…

FOUR AREAS ARE CONSIDERED - SURVEYS AND PUBLICATIONS, WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES, PILOT PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS. UNDER SURVEYS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE LISTED ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL, SUMMER SCHOOL SESSIONS, RESOURCE CONSULTANTS, AND KEYS TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF GIFTED CHILDREN. UNDER WORKSHOP AND CONSULTANT SERVICES…