Although there has been a great deal of debate about the effectiveness of charter schools in the research literature, there has been surprisingly little attention paid to English language learners (ELLs) in charter schools. Moreover, the charter school research has predominantly focused on whether or not charter schools are effective rather than…

Minnesota and Maryland have developed explicit criteria for excellence and quality in extension programs. Unless extension educators can define and judge excellence, they cannot promote excellence within extension or communicate the quality of extension programs to external audiences. (JOW)

Presents a plan for the improvement of education in Minnesota, which calls for higher levels and different kinds of learning, greater parent involvement in decision making and school choice, increased teacher involvement in school administration, stable funding, and educational alternatives for dropouts and potential dropouts. (DMM)

Maintains that the policy implication of research by Zaslow and colleagues may not consider the supply of child care and the choices parents make regarding informal child care. Asserts that informal child care is not necessarily low-quality care. Suggests that research should focus on both informal and formal day care. (JS)

This document presents an action plan developed by the Minnesota Early Care and Education Finance Commission during two years of study and deliberation to finance a state early care and education system that supports families and is focused on school readiness. Recommendations are presented in three categories: (1) more time and tools for better…