Charged to reconsider what indicators would capture and convey important truths about education and learning, the National Center for Education Statistics' Special Study Panel on Education Indicators wrote a 1991 report that rejected most conventional notions of indicators. Instead, they focused on learner outcomes, institutional quality, school…

Discusses results of an Australian study showing how wealthy schools use their greater material and human resources to establish a relatively sophisticated computer education culture, compared with poorer schools. Students from well-off families, especially boys, benefit by being prepared for elite jobs. Educators committed to equity must be…

Discusses the fiscal condition of Florida, highlighting its school-funding system and comparisons with other states. Analyzes five issues identified in interviews with state policy analysts: adequate funding for growing demand, applied educational-equity/adequacy considerations, tax-base adequacy, alternative revenue sources, and accountability…

In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court declared the state's educational finance system unconstitutional, allowing 1 year to enact a systemic overhaul. After 3 years of public controversy, plaintiffs and the state are contesting the sufficiency of the state's response. A court-supervised remedial process may be necessary. (86 footnotes) (MLH)

The South African Schools Bill of 1996 mandates compulsory education between ages 7 to 15, improved financing for public schools and racially integrated independent schools, and election of school governing bodies. A national school building program and fiscal reforms accompany governmental cultural-inclusion efforts. (Contains 12 references.)…

An analysis of recent judicial decisions shows that the adequacy concept emerging from state courts' invalidation of school finance systems transcends minimalist education standards and focuses on "world-class" standards and ambitious, universal student outcomes. Instead of challenging per-pupil expenditures, courts are questioning…

In remote Navajo Mountain, Dine children have no formal educational opportunities after eighth grade. A U.S. District Court judge's late-1970s ruling that spread responsibility among the U.S. Government, the Navajo Nation, Utah, and the local school district has proved unworkable. Any negotiated settlement must begin with identification of shared…

Education policy should be aimed at creating the most equitable system possible. Equity is measured in terms of opportunity, not inputs or outputs. Equal opportunity means providing educational goods and services to each student regardless of his/her educationally irrelevant characteristics and with regard to his/her educationally relevant…

In this paper we examine the research literature on teacher performance pay. Evidence clearly suggests an upsurge of interest in many states and school districts; however, expanded use of performance pay has been controversial. We briefly review the history of teacher pay policy in the U.S. and earlier cycles of interest in merit or…

This report presents the National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Disabilities as developed by a forum of representatives from major disability advocacy groups, direct service providers, families, related services personnel, researchers, teacher trainers, teachers, and administrators. Section 1 articulates the need…

A committee examined the number, type, and quality of work and training opportunities available for heads of households under Maine's Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program and suggested ways to improve them. Comprised of such representatives of the private and public sectors as employers, AFDC recipients, welfare advocates,…

A study was conducted to determine the extent to which federal policies, as defined in the Education Amendments of 1976, have affected the content and objectives of Consumer and Homemaking Education (C&HE) programs. The study was conducted during 1978 through 1981 in 10 states. More than 500 federal, state, and local educators and…

Results of a self-study conducted by Rice University, Texas, on the impact of federal legislation, especially nondiscrimination legislation, and the influence of federally-sponsored research are described. A survey was conducted of department chairmen, administrative staff, and a few selected faculty through interviewing and questionnaire…

Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) represents the only chance for many Baltimore City residents to obtain a post-secondary education, find a job with a career path, and earn a sufficient income to support a family. BCCC is also a critical linchpin in Baltimore's ability to build a competitive workforce. Yet the college, with 7,300 credit…

The depression of the past few years led colleges and universities to seek new ways in which to assist their financially needy students. In January 1937 the Office of Education requested all colleges and universities to send it descriptions of the projects they had devised. The responses to this request indicated a very cooperative spirit on the…