In this policy forum commentary, we call for improved national and state-level data collection and access relevant to the principal pipeline. We focus specifically on how access to quality data can inform, has informed, and is critical to policy and practice across three segments of the principal pipeline--principal preparation, licensure, and…

This paper presents Stan Jones' testimony before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training. In his testimony, he talks about a new American majority of students that is emerging on campuses, especially at community colleges. These students must delicately balance long hours at jobs they must…

Reports on the national demand for higher educational standards evident in the state legislation of the past three or four years that has mandated minimum competency testing programs. States that have adopted various kinds of such legislation are listed. (JD)

State or local governments are seen as helping hands for independent schools. In the state or local governments funding programs are available and issues of government regulation, tax exemptions, and civil rights are extensively debated. Some suggestions for developing good government relations are provided. (MLW)

Policy decisions facing the California legislature and the Governor concerning the State's role in private postsecondary education are at the heart of this report. Described are the existing problems in the operation and effectiveness of California's "Education Code," which regulates these institutions. Chapters include: an introduction;…

The proceedings of the 28th annual Legislative Work Conference of the Southern Regional Education Board are presented. Facts and issues surrounding faculty salaries and compensation are discussed in articles by David Spence and Richard Chait. Among trends to emerge from the articles is the fact that faculty salaries in the South have halved the…

For nearly 50 years, the unemployment insurance program has functioned as a unique and largely successful intergovernmental effort. From its inception, federal and state governments have each had principal jurisdiction over particular aspects of the program and both have shared responsibilities for others. The distribution of authority and…

A series of recommendations is presented for reducing default rates in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program. First, a summary is provided of trends toward the increasing dependence of students on loans to finance their college education and the large and growing default rate among borrowers. Next, four issues are discussed: Should lenders…

The political and legislative factors that weakened the role of the Florida Board of Regents over a 3-year period (1978-81) are traced in this report. The first section provides background on the functions of the Board from 1968 through 1978, a period characterized by a trend toward centralization and the reduction of university control.…

South Carolina's Education Improvement Act of 1984 is motivating, innovative, challenging, and satisfying. The law is motivating to the citizens of South Carolina because it promises increased student academic achievement, better services to special groups of students and school personnel, improved school conditions, extensive community…

This paper presents an overview and description of "significant" education legislation passed during the 1993 Utah Legislative Session. Specific attention is given to legislation that affects the governance and structure of education in the state. The centerpiece of the Governor's educational agenda and the definitive action of the 1993…

To date, only two states (Minnesota and California) have passed charter-school legislation. This report presents details from these two states regarding charter-school formation, including roles played by teachers and organizers, by local school boards as sponsors, and by county or state officials in providing an appeals process and technical…

Comments on state legislative intervention in curriculum during the past decade. Discusses attempts to establish minimum competency testing and legislative mandates regarding subjects and minimum instructional time. Addresses back-to-basics and saleable skills issues and reviews a Presidential Advisory Committee report with a discussion of…

During the debate concerning the reauthorization of vocational education, a number of factors must be considered pertaining to the issue of federal-state relationships regarding vocational education and national purposes for vocational education. While the federal government uses education as a vehicle for addressing a number of social concerns,…

Listening skills are the most used and least taught of the communication skills. However, in 1978 the United States federal government, through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, added listening and speaking to reading, writing, and arithmetic as determinants of literacy and needed basic competencies. Through the 1978 legislation, funds…