In 2019-20, over 4.6 million students attended private school. Many are eligible for equitable services--such as tutoring--under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). These federally funded services provided by school districts offer critical learning supports at private schools that opt to have their students receive them. ESEA…

A key responsibility of state education agencies (SEAs) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is to monitor local education agency (LEA) implementation of the law (34 C.F.R. § 300.600-604). This Fast Five details five principles (plus one!) that we recommend SEAs incorporate as part of their LEA monitoring.

Federal legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, mandates that individuals with disabilities be integrated in all aspects of life from education to employment to independent living. A recent development involves a settlement reached between the United States and the…

In early May 2020, The Aspen Institute published "Fostering Connectedness in the Pandemic Era: Policy Recommendations to Support Social, Emotional, and Academic Development." The recommendations were developed by a diverse group of education leaders convened to explore the importance of safe and nurturing relationships in school and the…

When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized in 2004, it included provisions to reduce administrative and paperwork requirements to address concerns about burden. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review federal efforts to reduce burden related to meeting IDEA requirements for educating…

Each year, about 4 million children enter kindergarten in the United States. All parents hope their child will start school ready for success, and many parents turn that hope into action, seeking out supportive and high-quality early learning opportunities. Unfortunately, not every parent finds those opportunities, and access differs based on…

This year is the 40th anniversary of the passage of Public Law 94-142--most commonly known as the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The law not only changed the way that students with disabilities are educated in this country, it also fundamentally changed the way that states fund their K-12 education programs. This ECS…

This publication provides an overview of the current federal opportunities to help states advance their data-related activities. Although not exhaustive, this list provides a starting point for federal policymakers to support states' work in this area.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) builds upon recent state efforts to reinvigorate the commitment of education to prepare students, not just for college and career, but also for citizenship and full participation in democratic life. This report outlines how ESSA strengthens opportunities for states to expand and support civic learning and…

Conservative governors and legislators across America are angry at the third branch of government. Some of these lawmakers are pushing legislation that could throw judges off the bench, while others are pushing to limit judicial authority. In one state, a governor unilaterally removed a justice of the state supreme court. Another Republican…

Almost half of the states in the United States allow citizens to make educational policy through ballot issues, a mechanism of direct democracy. Yet, no study has attempted analyze the educational ballot issue landscape, meaning little systematic attention has been paid to this important and increasingly influential form of educational policy…

Current sex equity programs and policies at the state level are described as instructive examples of the leadership role state education agencies can exercise in educational equity issues. Support for continued federal efforts to assure the civil rights of all students is seen as crucial. (MLW)

The main objectives of the study were to determine: (1) the general status of predominantly black institutions in the total nationwide educational spectrum; (2) the historical information about Tennessee State University (TSU) and the University of Tennessee (UTN) pertinent to the dismantling controversy (Geier v. Dunn court case) in Nashville;…

Presented are the results of a study by the National Education Association of the experience of 43 schools in 3 selected districts (in Des Moines, Iowa; North Santa Barbara County, California; and Savannah, Georgia) in implementing Public Law 94-142 to provide a free, appropriate public education for the handicapped in the least restrictive…

The implications of the "Serrano-type" court cases are slowly making an impact on State school finance structures. Nearly every State has just completed or is undertaking a study of public school finance problems. Although the impetus for change is coming from the courts, the real work is being accomplished by the governors, legislators, and staff…