In this essay, the authors explore trends in intergovernmental relations (IGR) by analyzing recent education policies--No Child Left Behind Act, Common Core State Standards, and local empowerment policies. Identifying a resurgent role for local actors in education policy, the authors argue that recent federal efforts to exert more control have in…

In this study, federal court opinions and writings of legal scholars, spanning 63 years of establishment clause jurisprudence in the US federal courts were analysed in an effort to determine dominant trends in judicial philosophy that are of significance to science educators. The study's findings suggest that the dominant legal theory underpinning…

Studies to date show how low-fee private (LFP) schools, including unrecognised ones, have gained practical legitimacy and continue to increase in number. However, little explanation is offered regarding the legal legitimacy of such unrecognised LFP schools. This paper intends to fill this gap by examining the legal legitimacy of unrecognised…

America is on the precipice of ruining its foundation for success. The movement toward a centralized education system through federal mandates and common curriculum and testing is threatening the very system that has contributed to America's success and that holds the potential for its future success: that is a decentralized, diverse, largely…

Fourth in a series, this report provides a descriptive and analytical review of legislation affecting community and junior colleges which has been introduced or enacted during 1978. It includes factual information on the bills as reported by the states as well as an interpretative evaluation and synthesis of major developments. Legislation is…

Why accountability by institutions of higher education is necessary is discussed. Current federal, regional, and state involvement in accountability is examined. Such involvement includes federal legislation, regional accrediting agencies' requirements, and state legislation. Future trends in accountability requirements are also examined. (SPG)

The evolution of federal assistance programs from the issuance of the report of the President's Panel on Mental Retardation in 1962 to the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act Amendments of 1985 is reviewed. (Author/CB)

In the past 25 years the federal government has increasingly relied upon accrediting agencies for certain judgment. This relationship has become important to both parties, creating some problems for each, but representing an example of successful cooperation between government and the private sector. (Author/LBH)

A joint hearing was held to consider S. 600, a U.S. Senate bill designed to help educate the public about federal child labor laws and strengthen enforcement of child labor laws through an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum presided. The hearings were called because of sporadic enforcement of inadequate…

The state of the economy, dramatic shifts in population, and changing federalism will all shape the large issues of the 1980s. These issues will be a major force affecting the renewal of the Vocational Education Act. (LRA)

In response to the Tenth Annual Report (EC 210 334) and field reactions (EC 221 136-138), these articles address the need for simplified reporting, more analysis and less summary, and the development of a set of indicators to measure the health of special education. (DB)

Many mentally ill children, especially those who are seriously disturbed, are not receiving the mental health care they need. Although the federal government offers financing to the states for child and adolescent mental health programming, the primary responsibility for financing mental health services has been assumed by state governments. At…

This report, generated by a Congressional hearing, analyzes the goals intended for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the impact on those it was intended to protect. It also discusses the practical effects of the ADA, recent Supreme Court decisions and judicial trends in ADA enforcement, substance abuse and the ADA, and the ADA's…

While the economic downturn has appropriately become the top priority of policy makers, one element of the crisis has gone largely unnoticed: its impact on children and youth. Largely due to the economic and housing crises, many school districts across the country report increases in the number of homeless students in the classroom. "The Economic…

This report evaluates progress in including children with mental retardation in integrated educational environments and provides detailed tables providing state-by-state comparisons. A prologue by the executive director of The Arc, a national organization on mental retardation, notes that, for children with mental retardation, placement in…