This bibliography on State departments of education contains 151 entries, covering literature from 1952 through 1968 (most entries are post-1960). Topics in this literature include the need for State education agencies, their organization, and their impact upon the schools within the States. (DE)

At a time when the ongoing effort to reform public education in the United States is strongly influenced by requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), policymakers and education leaders at all levels are focused on improving student achievement in math and reading. Emphasis on these two areas, however, is generating concern among…

Ten common beliefs about American education are presented, accompanied by the background behind the belief, information that contradicts the belief, previous attempts to cope with the discrepancy between belief and reality, and recommendations. The discrepancies are strong enough to refer to these beliefs as myths, with 10 chapters recounting 10…

Since Jonathan Kozol's 1991 publication of "Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools," East St. Louis, Illinois, District 189 has endured unswerving criticism and study. While Kozol's work made publicly known the horrible conditions of schools in the district, it did not bring immediate relief. In 1994, the state appointed a…

In an interview, Khalil Mahshi, director-general of international and public relations for the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education, talks about the legacy of the first Palestinian intifadah and the current state of Palestinian education. He emphasizes the subjective nature of his observations and the complex role of commenting…

This report offers an overview of the "back-to-basics" movement and its implications, discusses the results of a recent survey conducted by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) on the impact of the back-to-basics movement, and presents six "source documents" that provide more detailed discussion of the back-to-basics movement. The first…

This paper briefly reviews how New York City has developed its bureaucratic school structures, the pathologies that have developed within them, and some remedies that can help to change them into structures that will improve city schools. Some historians claimed that reformers purposely created bureaucratic school systems to provide a docile pool…

This issue paper is the first in a series commissioned by the Education Commission of the States on issues relating to superintendent and school-board leadership. The study from which this paper derives builds on earlier studies that focused on characteristics and demographics of the superintendency, and on the status of relations and functions of…

This paper examines the recent trend of mayoral influence over and control of education. In a number of major cities, governance has shifted to mayors in the hope that such changes would lead to improved school quality and student achievement, and less scandal in the school systems. Throughout the twentieth century, various reforms led to the…

Itemizes planning proposals to facilitate conversion of the educational system to metrics, including administrative committees and personnel training courses. Suggestions for purchasing materials and equipment refer the reader to several specific titles. (WM)

Discusses some of the current problems facing Quebec and the debate over news coverage of those problems. Reports that Quebec's schools will receive increased funding and undergo a three-year reform. Describes local school boards' continuing financial problems and controversies surrounding the handling of school funds. Examines young Anglos'…

Reviews and analyzes the major educational reforms initiated in Connecticut during the last 10 years, employing economics terminology. Describes selected initiatives from the 1986 Education Enhancement Act. Discusses the effects of four state commissions with input from key interest groups on Connecticut educational policy. State board of…

Examines the concept of charter schools, their appeal to reformers, and the resistance to their implementation. The paper describes seven key components essential to creating charter schools, presenting examples that illustrate their impact on potential charter schools. Forces impeding the long-term success of the charter-school movement are…

A survey of local school-board chairs in North Carolina concluded that such leaders show more philosophical agreement with reform ideas (decentralization, work redesign, the student as worker, school choice, and the board chair's role) than practical knowledge of how to implement those ideas locally. (MLH)