This paper explicates the elements of several policy instruments used in Connecticut, the political conditions under which they were chosen, and their intended targets and expected effects on teacher quality and student learning. The purpose of the paper is to explain how the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) and the Connecticut State Department…

Peter Blake reports on new legislations and reforms in Virginia that provide colleges and universities more operational and administrative autonomy in return for their commitment to public goals for higher education. He traces the history and context of privatization in Virgina from 1988. During this time, the legislatively mandated Virginia…

This Spring 1984 issue of The Bookmark comprises articles examining many aspects of the contribution of the University of the State of New York Board of Regents to the growth and development of library programs in the state. The authors and their topics were selected to show the wide range of concerns and interests that the Regents have had in…

Eight articles in this Spring 1985 issue of The Bookmark focus on young adult library services. In addition to these thematic articles, an introduction and three reports are presented. The issue contains: (1) "In Perspective" (E. J. Josey); (2) "Young Adult Literature in the 1980's--Awesome!" (Ellin Chu); (3) "Young Adult…

Legislative mandates on sexual discrimination do not necessarily guarantee enduring change, as is demonstrated by the reinterpretation by the United States Supreme Court of Title IX of the Education Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the landmark decision in "Grove City College v. Bell" in 1984, the court ruled that Title IX,…

Ten brief articles focus on issues in the administration of special education especially in New York State. Articles have the following titles and authors: "Administrative Skills--Coping with the Future" (J. Gross); "The Impact of Public Law 94-142 and Chapter 853 on Regular and Special Education Administrators" (R. Costello);…

Outlines a model of educational change in state school systems. Argues that the enactment of compulsory attendance marks the formal beginning of a state system and that then the newly-formed institution begins to undergo self-generating change. (KH)

Only time will tell whether state and local policy makers in North Carolina will decide to implement some or all of the 25 recommendations for vocational education made in "Vocational Education Study: Final Report," released in November 1986 by the Research Triangle Institute. If their reaction is similar to that for previously made…

This document presents the Virginia Department of Education's plan to develop and implement pilot programs in six localities for the 1992-94 biennium (prior to statewide implementation in 1994) for the delivery of special education to juveniles in local jails. The plan is community based, with local school division administrators and jail…

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,…

Representatives from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas discuss the issues surrounding teacher and student competency and accountability. For each state, they review legislative policies and actions and the programs of the state education department regarding the use of competency and accountability standards. The…

This report presents the Prichard Committee recommendations on professional development of Kentucky teachers. They are based on the results of a steering committee of Kentucky educators and are being implemented in a Pew Charitable Trusts project. The overall finding was that for school reform to succeed in Kentucky, greatly enhanced professional…

Current sex equity programs and policies in several states provide instructive examples of the leadership that state education agencies (SEAs) can exercise on sex equity issues. Descriptions of state legislation and program activity related to sex equity in Massachusetts, Washington, Alaska, Minnesota, New York, Iowa, California, and Michigan…

A resolution is presented that was approved in the 1978-79 school year by six California professional associations in education, and which has been referred to the state education department and relevant accreditation associations. The issue is the accreditation and quality control of external degree programs. It is resolved that: (1)…

Texas' Select Committee on Public Education, created in 1983 by resolution of the Texas Legislature, was directed "to study the issues and continuing concerns relating to public education in Texas, particularly school finance and each of its components." The committee's recommendations, presented in this report, are intended to provide…