School choice improves parents' satisfaction with their children's schools, and public schools that face competition have shown improved performance, yet opponents continue to oppose reforms that give parents the opportunity to choose their children's schools. State and federal policymakers should reform existing education policies to give all…

The authors explore federal learning disabilities (LD) guidelines, Wisconsin LD guidelines, and current educational research relating to approaches for teaching LD students. Two approaches are considered--the process-deficit approach and the task-analytic approach. (SBH)

The current status of state policy on minimum competency testing in Wisconsin, and the political process that produced that policy, are explored in this report. The document presents the preliminary findings of research conducted for a doctoral dissertation. The research methodology, mentioned only briefly, involved participant observation,…

Discusses whether school boards can indemnify board members or officials for legal fees generated by challenges to recall election proceedings. Focuses on Wisconsin, where recalls need not be based on cause. Concludes that, because recalls such as Wisconsin's are essentially political, boards should not pay the legal fees involved. (Author/RW)

Discusses accessibility for disabled persons to vocational programs in secondary and postsecondary schools in Wisconsin. Explains the mandates of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act regarding individuals who are handicapped. (JOW)

Interviews with state legislators from Wisconsin (D. Bezruki), Massachusetts (T. P. Kennedy), and Virginia (P. Leone) illustrate the roles that evaluation is playing in the current state budget crisis. The influence of evaluation data appears largely specific to individual programs rather than systematically applied to the budgeting process. (SLD)

Elementary teachers frequently face the challenge of teaching about their state with limited time and resources. Teaching state or regional history is a longstanding tradition in fourth grade and has been part of the social studies curriculum since the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, national and state standards include attention to…

Prepared by the Task Force on Library Legislation appointed by Wisconsin's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, this final report presents policy statements and action recommendations addressing issues related to the organizational and funding problems of public libraries, public library systems, and multitype library cooperation. The…

Examines Wisconsin's school finance system in light of recent legislation and the education clause in the state constitution. Argues for judicial involvement to correct the finance system. Available from Marquette Law Review, 1103 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233. (IRT)

In March 1990, the Wisconsin legislature passed into law the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Its enactment made Wisconsin the only state in the nation with a private school voucher plan. Litigation concerning the constitutionality of the program has involved the following actions: (1) the Wisconsin Supreme Court refused to hear the case; (2)…

Having determined that neither traditional vocational education nor basic skills alone prepare students adequately for jobs and lifelong learning, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted an Education for Employment Standard that required every school district to form a school-business partnership council. The council's purpose is to guide the…