The Department of Education has ruled that a federal privacy-protection law gives college students the right to see their admissions files, based on a Harvard University graduate's request. The ruling could help shed light on how institutions select students and on the validity of racial discrimination charges in other institutions. (MSE)

Wisconsin's Waukesha County Technical College has been cited by the Government Finance Officers Association for prematurely recognizing property tax revenues. The outcome of the dispute will also affect other Wisconsin Technical Colleges and school districts in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois. (MLF)

Offers advice on washroom compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act Title III (ADA) regulations during school construction and renovation projects. Critical issues concerning bathroom accessibility and practical solutions in washroom design are discussed. Other recommended, non-ADA restroom design guidelines for elementary schools are…

Colleges and universities are generally subject to new penalty excise taxes under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code on charitable and educational organizations. The law and proposed regulations are explained, with specific attention to how the rules apply to colleges and universities and how these institutions can best protect themselves…

Describes how, despite a series of fatal fires on campuses a few years ago, state and federal proposals to require sprinklers or other safety features on campuses have gone nowhere. (EV)

In his paper, "European Needs and Attitudes towards Information Security," Richard I. Polis notes that the needs for security in computer systems, telecommunications, and media are rather uniform throughout Western Europe, and are seen as being significantly different from the needs in the United States. Recognition of these needs is,…

Describes the events that led to the establishment of the national policy for informatics in Brazil, which restricts foreign involvement in that nation's computer industry. The governing agencies are described, controversies and debates surrounding the policy are summarized, and the reaction of the American government is discussed. (Author/CLB)

Addresses questions about the copyright on educational media, covering the provisions of the Copyright Act of 1978, guidelines for off-the-air recording, information on the Copyright Royalty Tribunal, new technological copying concerns, and suggestions for community college procedures related to the use of copyrighted materials. (AYC)

Explains standards laid out in Federal Circular A-120 to ensure accountability, uniformity of standards, legal compliance, and efficiency in school food service procurement. Includes bidding and contract award procedures, contract compliance considerations, and cost-cutting methods. (MCG)

The purpose of this report is to present the issues surrounding biomonitoring of wastewaters discharged into the Great Lakes Basin. Biomonitoring is the process of using organisms to monitor the toxicity of a substance. The report reflects an interest in seeing zero discharge of toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes region. The report is organized…

The newly reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA 2001) reflects and reinforces a major shift in thinking about the roles and responsibilities of school board members, district superintendents, and principals. School and district leaders will face substantial challenges as they adjust to ESEA requirements, including pressure to…

This report summarizes data that address several aspects of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's Title I program. It includes information on districts, schools and students served, range of instructional and support services provided, Title I staffing patterns, and schools' progress toward meeting performance standards as reported in Title…

Fiscal and programmatic controls that have been applied to different types of federal grants are described. It is suggested that a simplification of grant program structure is necessary to establish priorities and ways or controls to pursue these priorities. (CJ)

Highlights program activities of the commission, and considers projected effects of the White House Conference on it. Future concerns are noted including the role of the school and public library, the needs of research and scholarship when knowledge is multiplying rapidly, and mediation between library and information services and users. (SW)

Provides an overview of copyright regulations and examines issues of special concern for distance educators, including ambiguities in fair-use regulations. Notes rules concerning exclusive rights of copyrights holders, fair-use provisions, factors used to determine fair-use eligibility, and exemptions for "face-to-face" instruction. Provides…