The Education Commission of the States' annual meeting was characterized by divergent opinions on almost any issue, but there appeared to be less consensus and more impatience on issues relating to higher education than on those concerning public schools. (MSE)

Using various means, 11 states have legislated a ban on school corporal punishment. Persuading other state legislatures to abolish it requires the following steps: develop a materials and information base, build broad-based support, use the media, move the bill through the state legislature, achieve incremental success, and overcome barriers. (JDD)

Explores the contexts of the letters citizens send their legislators, focusing exclusively on their value. Suggests that the letters about political issues and personal concerns sent by citizens are of great value to both the writer and the reader. (SKC)

Indicates that the test knowledge of teachers, administrators, district personnel, and legislators is limited. (FL)

The focus of this hearing is on State efforts to comply with Federal child welfare review requirements related to safety, permanency, and child and family well-being. This document commences with the Advisory of May 6, 2004, announcing the hearing. This is followed by witness testimonies from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,…

This article reports on a three-phase study that examined the relationship between earning power and the successful completion of a program of study at an unidentified community college. In the first phase, researchers interviewed the state legislators from the community college's home county and asked them their beliefs on this relationship. In…

The school library plays a crucial role in the teaching and learning process. Every school, therefore, needs a properly organized library to ensure access to information. However, most countries do not have legislation that makes it mandatory for every school to have a library. In countries like Zimbabwe individual schools have made their own…

This book attempts to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding the lessons learned from national school violence crises and shifting security threat trends. Its objective is to deliver balanced, practical, and cost-effective steps for preventing and managing school crises, including how to recognize "red flag" warnings of potential…

The matter covered by this manuscript has grown out of controversies, yet it is not in itself controversial. At times there are arrayed on one side of this controversy, those who sincerely believe that a reading or teaching of the Bible in the public schools will make for better citizenship; and on the other side are to be found those who believe…

An attitudinal survey of 28 Minnesota legislative and interest-group policy makers in education examined educational groups' fragmentation, linkages, lobbying power, legislators' information resources, and initiation and accommodation between legislators and interest groups. Among the conclusions is that educational lobbyists' power in the…

In order to work within the legislative framework, it is suggested, administrators and trustees must concern themselves with five essentials: key calendar dates, specific committee structures, the chairman's power, the party in control, and the flow of legislation. Administrators must also know the legislators, the issues, and the governor. (MLW)

Through their subcommittee work, William Ford of Michigan and Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island are the two most influential members of Congress on matters affecting higher education. Their viewpoints and accomplishments, particularly with respect to student financial aid programs, are discussed. (JMD)

Characterizes resource-allocation patterns across states and across districts within states using data on financial allocations to estimate the relationship between differences in state aid allocation policies and practices, district financial and demographic influences, and district-level allocation of financial and human resources. (Contains 46…

Surveys the changes in state legislatures since the 1960s, stating that the greatest change has been the enhancement of legislative capacity which reformulated the balance of power within state government. Suggests that political science students would benefit from a combination of observing state legislatures and studying the literature.…

States that the modern governor is a "new breed" of policy activist and skilled manager, leading revitalized state governments. Describes the forces that have transformed the governor's office and state legislatures. Concludes that state governors are more influential because state governments are better equipped for the task of…