Today, school district leaders must comply with multiple federal statutes (Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act). The trend is toward full inclusion, despite judicial overrulings, clarifications of "least restrictive environment," and emergence of opposing groups.…

Local agencies' use of funds provided through the federal Chapter 2 program vary greatly among urban, suburban, large, and small classifications. Responses to the program have been positive in all geographic regions, primarily because of flexibility in meeting local needs and simplified administrative application. (CJH)

Due to shrinking financial resources accompanied by increased nutritional responsibilities, school food service professionals are employing economies of scale (central kitchens, cooperative purchasing, computerization, and high-tech food preparation equipment) and revenue-expansion opportunities (catering, vending machines, and "a la…

Briefly describes the first 40 years of Title I of the Elementary Secondary Education Act. Describes significant changes in Title I under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, including school-choice options for students in failing schools, supplemental educational services for at-risk students, and the hiring of highly qualified teachers. (PKP)

In 1990, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, and schools must now comply with requirements to remove any physical barriers inhibiting public access to educational facilities. Includes what the "disabled" category covers; other groups and programs that should be accessed for help in implementing ADA goals; and a four-step…

When examining school-level funding, the Chicago Panel discovered that schools with at least 90 percent low-income students average $350 less per pupil than schools with more affluent students. To overcome these inequities, the Chicago Panel proposed a finance system based on funding schools rather than school districts. (12 references) (MLH)

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have certain responsibilities when addressing special-educations students' assistive technology needs: selecting and purchasing appropriate devices; maintaining, repairing, and replacing devices as needed; and training students and family members how to use devices. Costs and funding…

Special education entitlements have helped public schools serve everyone, provided an appropriate education and improved postsecondary outcomes for disabled children, placed well-trained specialists in schools, benefited nondisabled students in regular settings, supported parent participation, and helped schools identify disabling conditions. (MLH)

Examines some of the legal and practical matters involved when school boards adopt a policy giving competitive bid preferences to state and local vendors and contractors by penalizing the bids submitted by nonresident firms. (MLF)

School systems are being required to extend transportation services to more severely handicapped children and younger handicapped children. Discusses new legislation and bus driver responsibility and training, and advises administrators to become involved in special education students' individualized education programs. (MLF)

Most of the cost of providing special education is borne by states and local education agencies. Examines changes in federal legislation affecting special education, increase in the target population, and future considerations in funding programs for handicapped children. (MLF)

One eager reporter plus a media-savvy parent can undermine a school system's image and educational mission. Districts are hampered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits open discussion of an issue concerning a student and his/her parents. Newsworthy incidents illustrate advantages of a waiver policy. (MLH)

The real-life drama 25 years ago when Apollo 13 was rescued through a collaborative team of colleagues provides a model for changes in many public schools. In Texas, the state code specifies that site-based decision making address planning, budgeting, curriculum staffing patterns, staff development, and school organization. (MLF)

Utah and Kentucky are among the states with the strongest public-private partnerships in technology policy for public schools. The key ingredients are strong executive leadership, a legislature that works with the governor, and agreements between the public and private sectors leading to affordable telecommunications linkages. One table is…

An Economic Institute study concludes that real per-pupil spending between 1967 and 1991 increased by 61%. Regular education's share declined from 80% to 59%. The biggest "squeaky wheel" is special education, followed by bilingual education, alternative instruction, dropout prevention, school lunch, and higher education Pell grants. The…