"Getting poor kids out of failing schools" sounds like an altruistic cause most Americans support. However, one policy mechanism utilized to achieve that result, parental choice vouchers, has a checkered past. This descriptive analysis explores the policy-bubble created when state legislators eschewed their constitutional responsibility…

In this report, a school choice advocacy group presents results from its survey of K-12 parents within and across the public and private sectors. They report that parents are highly satisfied with voucher and tax credit scholarship programs and suggest that the findings support the expansion of school choice programs. However, these and other…

Because Indiana places a premium on providing quality public education to its students, as reflected by the state constitution and budget, assuring quality candidates are appointed or elected for state educational leadership positions must also be a priority. This policy brief examines educational leadership roles at the state level. The position…

Reports the results of a survey of librarians in 71 Indiana high schools concerning controversial topics and books that they thought would cause their constituents the greatest concern. Concludes that censorship is taking place and that librarians sometimes acquiesce in indirect censorship, thus denying some students access to important literary…

A study conducted by the Indiana Youth Institute ("De-Track Schools," 1991) indicts a tracking system that helps many academically talented students prepare for college, but fails to prepare noncollege-bound students for much of anything. Tracking, as typically practiced, benefits teachers, not students; is contradictory to American…

The development of the positions of nurse practitioner and physician assistant is a good example of differentiating staffing and practice to meet individual needs in an effective and cost-efficient way. This type of differentiation has been confined to the healthcare industry, principally to health maintenance organizations, but perhaps those in…

School fundraising will remain popular, despite the risk of lawsuits. The Indiana courts advise certain actions to avoid potentially hazardous situations. These include inspecting places and situations presenting significant hazards, making plans to meet anticipated dangers, and assigning competent supervisors. Superintendents can ensure greater…

Although downshifting from the superintendency to a principalship is an unusual career move, "Executive Educator" easily located five "born-again" principals to interview. Principals felt their job's shirt-sleeve intensity and chances to work with children compensated for lower pay and status. Four enjoyed shorter work hours. A…

The multi-faceted assessment of the teaching of religious history in the elementary and secondary schools of Indiana developed from a need for the assessment, a concept and procedure for the assessment, and the applications to educational practice. Textbooks have neglected religious history, and a national movement exists to improve the curricular…

Notes that the Indiana State Reading Association was one of three state reading associations recognized by the International Reading Association. Describes Phase One and Two of the Five Star Policy Recognition Program Award presented to states and provinces that have adopted and implemented policies that support effective instruction for all…

Includes "Keys to Successful Tech Prep Programs" (Cahill); "Tech Prep Systems for the Twenty-First Century--The Power of Process" (Key, Key); and "Indiana Tech Prep Pilot" (Hoke, Suba). (JOW)

Follows the evolution in the thinking of Aldo Leopold, a game manager who was initially an advocate of predator eradication but who came to see predators as playing an important role in normally functioning ecosystems. (DDR)

Presents some of the arguments and reviews the research on small school districts. Based on experiences in Indiana, contends that consolidated school superiority is exaggerated. With proper planning and innovation, small schools can effectively share human, material, and financial resources. Eighteen references are provided. (MLF)

Questions a recent court decision in which public school employees who gathered on their own time on school property for prayer meetings and religious discussion were found to be in violation of the school district's policy prohibiting prayer meetings and in violation of the Constitution. (MD)

Examines the plight of the overloaded secondary school foreign language teacher, with examples taken from Indiana statistics, and suggests that the attention of textbook writers and professional organizations be directed toward helping these teachers. (AM)