Commissioner's Rules Concerning the State Plan for Educating English Language Learners (ELLs) states that all school districts that are required to provide bilingual education and/or English as a second language (ESL) programs establish and operate a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). The LPACs are charged with reviewing all…

Several recent studies have examined the impacts of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) on school operations and student achievement. We complement that work by investigating the law's impacts on teachers' perceptions of their work environments and related job attitudes, including satisfaction and commitment to remain in teaching. Using four waves of the…

Skepticism among lawmakers in Congress that colleges are adequately trying to control costs may hinder legislation that would extend tax breaks for higher education, according to the chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee. Senator Max S. Baucus said skepticism on Capitol Hill has been fueled by anger over multimillion-dollar coaches'…

Many states are developing regulations for serving handicapped infants based on P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which was written to cover ages 3-21. As a result, confusing and discrepant practices are occurring that do not necessarily address the unique nature and needs of infants. (Author/VW)

This Staff Brief provides background information on state and federal laws and regulations, relevant proposals recently considered by the Wisconsin Legislature and laws and proposals of selected other states relating to sexual harassment. Part I provides an overview of the state's employment discrimination law as it specifically relates to sexual…

Describes four major tax acts which significantly impact businesses and individual taxpayers. Includes important issues affecting businesses, such as changes in minimum wage, depreciable personal property, pensions, and tax credits. Also describes important issues affecting individuals, including changes in spousal IRAs, adoption expense credits,…

The failure of deinstitutionalization to provide an appropriate place for the mentally ill to live in the communities is the topic of this report. The history of how community-based housing programs fell victim to the same coordination problems that generally plagued deinstitutionalization efforts is discussed. Problems discussed include: (1)…

Reviews the process of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act for postsecondary education, beginning with hearings and program reviews. Discusses issues such as political considerations, program simplification, awarding excellence, and availability of information. Pressure groups and budget factors also influence the outcome of the legislative…

This report to the Illinois Board of Higher Education examines the use of tuition waivers to achieve gender equity in intercollegiate athletics as allowed by the state's Public Act 89-166. An introduction explains the context for the law which requires that institutions must demonstrate "substantial proportionality" reflecting the…

Reviews Federal legislation since 1968 affecting disabled people and discusses political and bureaucratic inaction that compromised implementation. Suggests that the remainder of the 1980's will be a period when disabled persons must assert their rights, supposedly guaranteed by Federal and State laws, to participate fully in society. (SA)

Issues considered by the House Postsecondary Education Subcommittee, chaired by William Ford, during hearings on the Higher Education Act of 1980 are outlined briefly, including the Basic and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Guaranteed Student Loan Programs, community service and continuing education, library programs, and research…

Educators, mental-health officials, and law-enforcement officers often do not share information about troubled students because they are confused by what they can disclose under complex and overlapping privacy laws, according to a report on the Virginia Tech shootings. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and two other Bush cabinet secretaries…

Young children and infants are especially vulnerable to serious injury in auto collisions because so few of them are protected by restraints or because legally required restraint devices are improperly used. Seat belt use laws tend to exclude children and child restraint legislation which exists includes gaps and shortcomings that limit its…

This report reviews Federal legal requirements for including students with disabilities in general education classrooms, describes the continuing obstacles to inclusion, and provides guidance for challenging the placement of students with disabilities outside of the general education classroom. Barriers to full inclusion are identified, followed…

This paper outlines the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (sometimes referred to as the Wage-Hour Law) that establishes a minimum wage, subminimum wage, training wage overtime pay, and recordkeeping requirements. The following topics are addressed: (1) covered employment; (2) exemptions; (3) hours worked; (4) board, lodging, and other…