Growing dissatisfaction makes major structural changes requiring legislative, popular initiatives, or the approval of governing authorities possible in U.S. schools. Schools raising academic achievement emphasize high student expectations, classroom management, positive feedback, tailored teaching strategies, professional work environments, and…

This report summarizes eight case studies undertaken to evaluate the benefits and costs of mediated instruction and distributed learning. The case studies included: (1) "The Master's Degree in Social Work at Cleveland State University and the University of Akron: A Case Study of the Benefits and Costs of a Joint Degree Program Offered via…

This report compares special education legislation and services for students with disabilities in Taiwan and the United States. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in the United States and the Special Education Act of 1984 in Taiwan are found to have similar elements. Funding of special education services, however, is different in the…

Describes how some schools are using funding from Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to apply technology in the schools. Reviews specific requirements for allocating funds in targeted assistance and schoolwide program schools. (SLD)

Federal, state, and local policy issues that affect models of school-linked integrated services and systems are examined. Barriers to school-linked service integration, state policy trends, the realities of finance, establishing state systems of support for the changing approach, examples of state approaches, and the impact of devolution are…

Passage of the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 is examined via document reviews and interviews with constituent representatives. Findings highlight the remarkable unity of purpose exhibited by the tribal colleges throughout this process, including the initial proposal to Congress in 1974, debates over tribal control in…

There is an implicit general plan currently uniting federal and state financing policies, however, it is inefficient, inequitable, and ineffective, involving obsolete state financing policies and mistaken federal responses. Implementation of another plan available would require federal intervention in state financing policies. (MLW)

The provisions in Australia's 1993 Higher Education Budget Statement regarding equity, diversity, and educational quality are examined. The discussion draws on current models of governance of public and private systems to examine ways in which the federal government has imposed accountability mechanisms on institutions. (Author/MSE)

The Education Finance and Productivity Center of the U.S. Department of Education aims to provide insight into making elementary, secondary, and higher education more productive. The articles of this theme collection explore approaches that are being taken to help frame a research strategy to examine educational productivity. (SLD)

This report synthesizes experiences in a number of countries (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Japan) on the market economy in higher education. Considered are market forces, various financial structures (institutional budgets, student funding, research infrastructure, other income, staffing), and implications for the future. (MSE)

News briefs touch on private-public sector cooperation in France regarding teacher qualifications; regional schooling weaknesses; reform in French junior high schools; changes in the baccalaureate degree; growing awareness of university financing problems; educational exchanges with other European countries; and governmental help for…

Describes the problems facing schools with large Hispanic populations and the need for the federal government to develop specific policies directed toward improving the education of Hispanic Americans. Discusses the role of corporate and private support in working toward this goal. (LP)

Reviews positive and negative aspects of corporate involvement in public education, using educational research literature since 1990 and focusing on commercialization of public schools and use of private companies to deliver instructional services or to manage schools. Also explored are value conflicts among supporters and critics of such…

The executive editor provides documentation on the widely publicized Kentucky school finance case, focusing events stemming from Lower Circuit Court Judge Ray Corns's decision that the state school financing system was unconstitutional. Barwick summarizes dates and events, beginning with a questionable June 1973 finance plan through adoption of a…

This document was designed to inform members of the policy, education, and research communities about existing state and institutional policies and practices associated with four accelerated learning programs: Advanced Placement (AP), dual/concurrent enrollment, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, and Tech-Prep. This effort was…