Because federal law offers little guidance for continually-failing schools, the Center on Education Policy (CEP) conducted a study from August 2006 to January 2007 in Michigan to explore questions of what happens after restructuring, particularly to schools that continue to fail to meet achievement targets. Because it had an accountability system…

The study documents effective state and local policies in providing related services to handicapped children as required by PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The areas reviewed include those state policies which clarify education agencies' responsibilities, and those which increase the resources available for related…

This Congressional report focuses on how States are implementing the largest of the Federal elementary and secondary grant programs, Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA). Much of the information provided in the report, which consists of eight chapters, was derived from interviews with State Chapter 1 directors.…

Past federal educational policy failures can be traced to three sources. The first is unrealistic expectations about schools' capacity for social reform, about the time needed to produce significant change, and about the degree of federal leverage over local school district behavior. The second source is the misconception that improving…

As vocational programs take on increased importance during the 1980's, it becomes necessary to assess the effectiveness of the vocational education leadership exercised at the national, state, university, and local college levels. At the national level, leadership is evidenced in legislatively mandated programs, such as the Graduate Leadership…

THE MAIN CONTENT OF A RECENTLY COMPLETED STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICE OF EDUCATION WAS DESCRIBED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS HELD NOVEMBER 16, 1967, IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. THE 769-PAGE APPRAISAL, IN PROCESS OF PUBLICATION, EXAMINES THE OPERATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH DIVISION OF THE FOUR…

Two major reports on the financing of special education and the use of Public Law 94-142 discretionary and set-aside funds are analyzed, focusing on the funds' impact on state and local education agencies. Key factors in utilization of these monies are political realities and the legal need for flexibility. (Author/JDD)

This report addresses issues related to highly qualified special education teachers, examining: state certification requirements, including use of alternative certification programs, for special educators and how they relate to No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) requirements; factors that facilitate or impede state efforts to ensure that special…

A survey of 51 state departments of education focused on learning disabilities definitions, identification criteria, and operationalization procedures. Results showed the continued impact of the 1977 federal definition and criteria. Findings are compared with those from a 1985 survey and discussed in terms of trends, prereferral interventions,…

Analyzes the responses of the states to the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, using criteria of quality and equity. Forecasts areas where initial litigation is most likely to occur. Concludes that even the best state plans illustrate that public schools are not becoming an advocate for children, particularly poor and homeless children. (MLF)

According to data collected in 2003 by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), just over 96,000 youth were incarcerated in juvenile correctional facilities throughout the United States (not including those being held in detention). An additional 10,000 youth were in state prisons or adult jails during the same time,…

This memorandum addresses the responsibility of State Education Agencies (SEAs) for insuring that local educational agencies do not violate students' civil rights. The SEA's duty is said to arise from two sources. First, in most if not all States, State law mandates that State education officials supervise and regulate the conduct of local school…

The responsibilities and prerogatives of state departments of education regarding the allocation of federal funds authorized under provisions of the draft version of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 are clarified in this report, and the resulting policy options available to state education agencies are examined. The law…

Nine state education agencies (SEAs) were studied in terms of SEA organization and administration in response to P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Six major issues were examined: strategies used by states to implement P.L. 94-142, major impact of P.L. 94-142 on the SEAs, creation of unintended and/or unforeseen…