Under the New Mexico Public School Code, the right of parents to home-school their children is recognized. "Home School" is defined as the operation by a parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody of a school-age person who instructs a home study program that provides a basic academic educational program, including but not…

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, reauthorized as Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act, requires schools to enroll homeless students immediately, even if they do not have the documents normally required for enrollment such as school records, medical records, proof of residency, or others. Unfortunately for many homeless…

A new book in the Knowledge Essential series, "School Success for Children with Special Needs" offers parents a guide for understanding and navigating the often-confusing special education system to ensure that their children get the best education possible. It tells them: (1) How to know if a child has physical, learning, or emotional…

This guide was developed to address issues related to work-based learning experiences at an employer's worksite and to explain when and how federal and state (Florida) labor laws and minimum wage provisions apply. It includes the following documents: "Definitions of Terms--Work Based Learning" (Institute for Workforce Competitiveness);…

The Vocational Equity Research, Training and Evaluation Center (VERTEC) was established in 1988 to increase females' access to, and opportunities in, vocational education programs that are nontraditional for their gender. The research, technical assistance and advocacy that has been provided by VERTEC staff over the last 21 years has established a…

Many states are considering a form a school choice known as "tax-credit scholarships," which currently provide school choice to almost 60,000 students in Arizona, Florida and Pennsylvania, which and have just been enacted in Iowa. This guide shows how tax-credit scholarships work and introduces the scholarship granting organizations that…

All parents want their children to succeed in school. This guide is designed to give parents, grandparents, and other caregivers ideas and tips that will improve their children's potential for success in school. These ideas also help create a joyful family life and positive connections between "parents and children," "parents and…

Presents an outline of educational reform possibilities for administrators to be aware of and prepare for so they are not caught off guard in the current state and federal push for legislated educational reform. (MD)

"No Child Left Behind" ("NCLB") requires that parents receive certain information about their child's education, as well as the overall performance of the child's school on state tests in reading, math and science. "NCLB" gives funding for early childhood learning; allows for more spending on each student, especially disadvantaged students; and,…

To raise the achievement of every student, Maryland designed "Achievement Matters Most," a plan for public schools that sets goals in the areas of achievement, teaching, testing, safety, and family involvement in schools. Achievement Matters Most supports Maryland schools' efforts to meet the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind…

This pamphlet provides information to help teachers, students, parents, and the community at large to examine whether there is equal access to and opportunity in education for males and females in the Iowa schools. Recognition of the importance of gender equity in education is reflected in both state and federal law. This document describes the…

This handbook, designed for advocates for disabled persons, focuses on understanding and researching the law. It is presented in seven chapters. Following the introduction (Chapter I), Chapter II provides a glossary of legal terms. The authors point out that in order for the law to serve as a tool for change, its language must be understood by…

Designed for special education due process hearing officers in Arizona, this manual is intended to provide a reference system for accessing and understanding state and federal laws, regulations, case-law, and policy with respect to the education of students with disabilities. Sections of the manual include: (1) a glossary of terms and a chart that…

Discusses the reauthorization of the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act, and the addition of a protection and advocacy component to ensure the legal rights of people to have access to assistive technology. The benefits of protection and advocacy systems are presented in a question-and-answer format. (CR)

This handbook was developed to assist local education agency personnel in establishing and administering high school apprenticeship programs, especially in North Carolina. The guide is organized in seven chapters that cover the following topics: (1) what apprenticeship is; (2) how a registered apprenticeship program works; (3) why employers choose…