The central argument of this article is that post-colonial states operate--and have always operated, due to their roots in colonialism and capitalism--according to an "ethos of privatization," through which state agents derive private benefit from positions ostensibly responsible for providing public services. The article offers a…

All states value their distinct approaches to policy and to life and the U.S. Constitution embeds the idea of state rights and responsibilities as a core principle in the federal system. California arguably takes this further than most. This paper provides a new way to think about how national policies might complicate or augment the next state…

This report provides the historical background and interpretive analysis needed to understand controversies surrounding Common Core and its associated tests. In this report, Williamson M. Evers presents a revised and expanded version of his expert report for "Jindal v. United States Department of Education et al.," No. 14-CV- 534 (M.D.…

This paper reviews nationwide education reforms under No Child Left Behind and state reforms in Florida--comparing federal and state results. The paper examines the danger that federal regulations and incentives pose to testing and accountability systems in Florida and every other state. The limits of No Child Left Behind and the promise of…

Against a shifting set of assessment preferences in the US regarding whether educational assessment should continue to be a states rights game or become a federally dominated undertaking, the publication of five first-rate analyses about England's national curriculum assessment (NCA) is particularly propitious. Taken together, these five papers…

The only states forbidden to charge school fees are Idaho and Florida. School boards' right to assess student fees is rooted in each state's constitution, statutes, and court decisions. Student fees violate our nation's ideal of free public education, which has helped advance democracy. A table shows state-by-state fee policy comparisons. (MLH)

Although state takeover of low-performing schools is not a new phenomenon in American education, it has seldom been exercised. Takeover actions exist in 11 states--Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia--but only New Jersey and Kentucky have exercised steps leading to…

New pressures on accreditation and the unique factors that are the foundation of its continuing value to postsecondary education are addressed. The expanding variety of institutions to be accredited, government regulation, state authorization, legal sanctions, and self-regulation are also discussed. (Author/LBH)

A 2000 Supreme Court ruling barring age-discrimination suits for money damages by state employees against state agencies (under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act) presaged a 2001 ruling striking down the equivalent provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act. "Garrett" further limits Congress's power to regulate state…

This report analyzes information from 12 Educational Flexibility Partnership Demonstration (EFD) program state reports submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in spring 2000. The EFD program helps schools and districts implement educational reforms and raise student achievement by providing increased flexibility in implementing federal…

The role of state government in higher education planning is addressed by examining the actions of the New York State Education Department during a winter fuel emergency. The technical and administrative aspects of state involvement, and reasons why state agencies may be assuming more active planning roles are suggested. (BH)

The influence of government on higher education in Ohio is discussed. In the context of the history and the current status of public and private higher education, the following two questions are considered: (1) How do state and federal student aid programs interact, and what is their effect on tuition policy? (2) Have decisions on higher education…

In the last two decades, the federal government's role in state and local affairs has shifted markedly from subsidy to regulation. This report examines the origins and effects of the new "regulatory federalism" and proposes reforms. Chapter 1 delineates the subject, chronicling the growth of intergovernmental regulation and discussing…

Results of a self-study conducted by Miami-Dade Community College, Florida, on the impact of state and federal regulation and reporting requirements are presented. The following areas have resulted in difficulties for the college in dealing with regulatory requirements: the Family Rights and Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment); administration of…