Access Meeting the Challenges of Population Growth and the Future Demand for Postsecondary Education  PDF - This policy brief tracks state-level population changes in the 18-and-older population and addresses the implications of those changes on the demand for postsecondary education over the next 15 years. Projected demographic and enrollment statistics are provided for all 50 states, and various state examples throughout the brief illustrate the higher education policy issues that will arise over the next decade. (Mario C. Martinez, Education Commission of the States, August 2004)...
Accountability Closing Low-Performing Schools and Reopening Them as Charter Schools: The Role of the State  MS Word PDF - This paper suggests that states consider incorporating into their broader restructuring efforts an option that allows policymakers and administrators – selectively and wisely – to close down chronically low-performing schools and reopen them as charter schools. It explores the challenges and potential benefits of this option, as well as the roles that states can play in its implementation. (Todd Ziebarth, Education Commission of the States, September 2004)...
Accountability--Sanctions Closing Low-Performing Schools and Reopening Them as Charter Schools: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - This paper suggests that states consider incorporating into their broader restructuring efforts an option that allows policymakers and administrators – selectively and wisely – to close down chronically low-performing schools and reopen them as charter schools. It explores the challenges and potential benefits of this option, as well as the roles that states can play in its implementation. (Todd Ziebarth, Education Commission of the States, September 2004)...
Restructuring Schools in Baltimore: Policy Brief PDF - This paper presents a summary of state and local restructuring efforts in a single district: the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS). The state’s and the district’s experiences with restructuring persistently low-performing schools provide practical information to other state and district leaders charged with the arduous task of restructuring schools under NCLB. (Lauren Morando Rhim, Education Commission of the States, August 2004)...
State Takeovers and Reconstitutions MS Word - Many policymakers, educators and parents are deeply concerned about the performance of the nation's public schools. To ensure school districts, schools, administrators, teachers and students meet acceptable performance levels, many states and school districts are implementing a variety of accountability policies. Two of the more controversial ones are state takeovers and reconstitutions. (Todd Ziebarth, Education Commission of the States, March 2004)...
Stimulating the Supply of New Choices for Families in Light of NCLB: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - Under No Child Left Behind, districts cannot use capacity problems as an excuse for not providing seats for students who wish to transfer. For these districts, and the states that oversee their progress, it is vitally important to look at stimulating the supply of new choices so that interested families can exercise their rights to transfer. This policy brief sketches out the roles that states can play in the process. (Bryan C. Hassel and Lucy Steiner, ECS, September 2004)...
Career/Technical Education Career and Technical Education MS Word - This briefing memo is designed to provide policymakers with an overview of the issues surrounding career and technical education in the states, including governance structures, recent legislation and research highlights. (Carl Krueger, Education Commission of the States, October 2004)...
Charter Schools Charter School Laws and Partnerships: Expanding Opportunities and Resources MS Word - This ECS Policy Brief summarizes results from The Center on Educational Governance's study on the existence of provisions in state charter school laws that facilitate or inhibit the schools' ability to partner with organizations across economic sectors. The report shows that states with established charter school resource centers also tend to have more partnerships. (Education Commission of the States, April 2004)...
Closing Low-Performing Schools and Reopening Them as Charter Schools: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - This paper suggests that states consider incorporating into their broader restructuring efforts an option that allows policymakers and administrators – selectively and wisely – to close down chronically low-performing schools and reopen them as charter schools. It explores the challenges and potential benefits of this option, as well as the roles that states can play in its implementation. (Todd Ziebarth, Education Commission of the States, September 2004)...
Stimulating the Supply of New Choices for Families in Light of NCLB: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - Under No Child Left Behind, districts cannot use capacity problems as an excuse for not providing seats for students who wish to transfer. For these districts, and the states that oversee their progress, it is vitally important to look at stimulating the supply of new choices so that interested families can exercise their rights to transfer. This policy brief sketches out the roles that states can play in the process. (Bryan C. Hassel and Lucy Steiner, ECS, September 2004)...
Choice Stimulating the Supply of New Choices for Families in Light of NCLB: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - Under No Child Left Behind, districts cannot use capacity problems as an excuse for not providing seats for students who wish to transfer. For these districts, and the states that oversee their progress, it is vitally important to look at stimulating the supply of new choices so that interested families can exercise their rights to transfer. This policy brief sketches out the roles that states can play in the process. (Bryan C. Hassel and Lucy Steiner, ECS, September 2004)...
Citizenship Education Developing Citizenship Competencies from Kindergarten through Grade 12: A Background Paper for Policymakers and Educators PDF - This paper is designed to help policymakers and education leaders incorporate civic knowledge, skills and attitudes into policies that support effective citizenship education
from the early elementary grades through high school. (Judith Torney-Puerta and Susan Vermeer, Education Commission of the States, August 2004)...
Involving Students in Governance PDF - Education is as much about fostering citizenship as it is about preparing students for college and the workplace, according to this policy brief. The brief presents the benefits of involving students in education governance and policymaking. It includes examples, challenges, questions for state and local policymakers to consider, as well as recommendations and resources. (Jeffery J. Miller, Education Commission of the States, October 2004)...
The Role of Principals in Citizenship Education: Integrating and Sustaining Quality Efforts in American Schools MS Word PDF - This issue brief explores the role of school principals in efforts to unite civics knowledge with action and make citizenship education a vital part of their schools’ functioning. The companion piece to this brief contains excerpts from interviews with several principals engaged in such efforts. (Linda Fredericks, Education Commission of the States, June 2004)...
Community Colleges Community Colleges as Professional Development Resources for Working Teachers PDF - Community colleges can meet the needs of new professional development strategies by addressing the inflexibility and inconvenience of other programs, according to this report. It offers state examples of the community college role in professional development, as well as policy recommendations. (Gina Shkodriani, Education Commission of the States, December 2003)...
Keeping America's Promise: A Report on the Future of the Community College PDF - Community colleges are the critical access points of higher education and economic opportunity for half of the nation’s college students. A new ECS/League for Innovation in the Community College report shows, however, that while these institutions are affordable and effective, they are undervalued and underfunded. Reduced state financing and shifts in financial aid policies are sending well over a quarter million prospective students each year away from the nation’s community colleges. The report looks at the changing characteristics of the student population, the escalating demand for postsecondary education, the gaps among groups in educational access and attainment, and the implications for community colleges. (Katherine Boswell and Cynthia D. Wilson, editors, Education Commission of the States, League for Innovation in the Community College, July 2004)...
Seamless Pipeline from Two-year to Four-year Institutions for Teacher Training PDF - This report reviews the transfer and articulation of teacher candidates from two- to four-year institutions.
It discusses ways to improve transfer policies such as common course numbering and common core classes, and offers state examples. (Gina Shkodriani, Education Commission of the States, December 2003)...
Teacher Education Baccalaureate Degrees at Community Colleges PDF - This paper discusses community colleges that independently offer bachelor of arts programs in education without a four-year university partnership. It includes state examples, implications, policy challenges and policy recommendations. (Gina Shkodriani, Education Commission of the States, December 2003)...
Demographics Meeting the Challenges of Population Growth and the Future Demand for Postsecondary Education PDF - This policy brief tracks state-level population changes in the 18-and-older population and addresses the implications of those changes on the demand for postsecondary education over the next 15 years. Projected demographic and enrollment statistics are provided for all 50 states, and various state examples throughout the brief illustrate the higher education policy issues that will arise over the next decade. (Mario C. Martinez, Education Commission of the States, August 2004)...
Early Learning NCLB: Implications for Early Learning PDF - The goal of this brief is twofold: (1) to inform early learning educators and policymakers better about specific NCLB components, and (2) to begin to discern what implications – both positive and negative – NCLB holds for the early learning field. It includes sections on adequate yearly progress, highly qualified teachers, and reading and literacy. (Kristie Kauerz and Jessica McMaken, Education Commission of the States, June 2004)...
Economic/Workforce Development Career and Technical Education MS Word - This briefing memo is designed to provide policymakers with an overview of the issues surrounding career and technical education in the states, including governance structures, recent legislation and research highlights. (Carl Krueger, Education Commission of the States, October 2004)...
Keeping America's Promise: A Report on the Future of the Community College PDF - Community colleges are the critical access points of higher education and economic opportunity for half of the nation’s college students. A new ECS/League for Innovation in the Community College report shows, however, that while these institutions are affordable and effective, they are undervalued and underfunded. Reduced state financing and shifts in financial aid policies are sending well over a quarter million prospective students each year away from the nation’s community colleges. The report looks at the changing characteristics of the student population, the escalating demand for postsecondary education, the gaps among groups in educational access and attainment, and the implications for community colleges. (Katherine Boswell and Cynthia D. Wilson, editors, Education Commission of the States, League for Innovation in the Community College, July 2004)...
Employment Career and Technical Education MS Word - This briefing memo is designed to provide policymakers with an overview of the issues surrounding career and technical education in the states, including governance structures, recent legislation and research highlights. (Carl Krueger, Education Commission of the States, October 2004)...
No Child Left Behind Closing Low-Performing Schools and Reopening Them as Charter Schools: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - This paper suggests that states consider incorporating into their broader restructuring efforts an option that allows policymakers and administrators – selectively and wisely – to close down chronically low-performing schools and reopen them as charter schools. It explores the challenges and potential benefits of this option, as well as the roles that states can play in its implementation. (Todd Ziebarth, Education Commission of the States, September 2004)...
NCLB and Highly Qualified Teachers: Where We Have Been and Need To Be MS Word PDF - This ECS Issue Brief links ECS research in the two critical areas of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – teaching quality and teacher working conditions in hard-to-staff schools. The paper offers recommendations on how to more effectively administer and implement NCLB, and proposes that targeted efforts be made to assist teachers in hard-to-staff schools reach the requirements of the law. (Jennifer Azordegan and Charles Coble, Education Commission of the States, 2004)...
NCLB: Implications for Early Learning PDF - The goal of this brief is twofold: (1) to inform early learning educators and policymakers better about specific NCLB components, and (2) to begin to discern what implications – both positive and negative – NCLB holds for the early learning field. It includes sections on adequate yearly progress, highly qualified teachers, and reading and literacy. (Kristie Kauerz and Jessica McMaken, Education Commission of the States, June 2004)...
Stimulating the Supply of New Choices for Families in Light of NCLB: The Role of the State MS Word PDF - Under No Child Left Behind, districts cannot use capacity problems as an excuse for not providing seats for students who wish to transfer. For these districts, and the states that oversee their progress, it is vitally important to look at stimulating the supply of new choices so that interested families can exercise their rights to transfer. This policy brief sketches out the roles that states can play in the process. (Bryan C. Hassel and Lucy Steiner, ECS, September 2004)...
Participation Meeting the Challenges of Population Growth and the Future Demand for Postsecondary Education PDF - This policy brief tracks state-level population changes in the 18-and-older population and addresses the implications of those changes on the demand for postsecondary education over the next 15 years. Projected demographic and enrollment statistics are provided for all 50 states, and various state examples throughout the brief illustrate the higher education policy issues that will arise over the next decade. (Mario C. Martinez, Education Commission of the States, August 2004)...
Postsecondary Meeting the Challenges of Population Growth and the Future Demand for Postsecondary Education PDF - This policy brief tracks state-level population changes in the 18-and-older population and addresses the implications of those changes on the demand for postsecondary education over the next 15 years. Projected demographic and enrollment statistics are provided for all 50 states, and various state examples throughout the brief illustrate the higher education policy issues that will arise over the next decade. (Mario C. Martinez, Education Commission of the States, August 2004)...
Pre-Kindergarten NCLB: Implications for Early Learning PDF - The goal of this brief is twofold: (1) to inform early learning educators and policymakers better about specific NCLB components, and (2) to begin to discern what implications – both positive and negative – NCLB holds for the early learning field. It includes sections on adequate yearly progress, highly qualified teachers, and reading and literacy. (Kristie Kauerz and Jessica McMaken, Education Commission of the States, June 2004)...
Service-Learning/Community Service Senior and Culminating Projects PDF - This paper explores the challenges and benefits of combining service-learning with senior and culminating projects – multi-dimensional projects through which graduating high school seniors demonstrate their accumulated knowledge and skills. It provides examples of existing high-quality programs, and offers some questions for consideration by educational leaders and policymakers. (Jeffery Miller, Education Commission of the States, November 2004)...
Teaching Quality Alternative Certification MS Word PDF - The limited amount of research on whether alternative certification programs are equal, better or worse than traditional programs is inconclusive. What does seem apparent, however, is that alternative certification programs have the ability to recruit and deliver more minority, male and older teachers into urban and rural areas. With federal programs providing increasing support and oversight, and organizations such as NCATE accrediting community college programs, alternative certification programs are not only evolving, but also gaining wider acceptance. (Marga Mikulecky, Gina Shkodriani and Abby Wilner, Education Commission of the States, December 2004)...
Community Colleges as Professional Development Resources for Working Teachers PDF - Community colleges can meet the needs of new professional development strategies by addressing the inflexibility and inconvenience of other programs, according to this report. It offers state examples of the community college role in professional development, as well as policy recommendations. (Gina Shkodriani, Education Commission of the States, December 2003)...
NCLB and Highly Qualified Teachers: Where We Have Been and Need To Be MS Word PDF - This ECS Issue Brief links ECS research in the two critical areas of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – teaching quality and teacher working conditions in hard-to-staff schools. The paper offers recommendations on how to more effectively administer and implement NCLB, and proposes that targeted efforts be made to assist teachers in hard-to-staff schools reach the requirements of the law. (Jennifer Azordegan and Charles Coble, Education Commission of the States, 2004)...
Seamless Pipeline from Two-year to Four-year Institutions for Teacher Training PDF - This report reviews the transfer and articulation of teacher candidates from two- to four-year institutions.
It discusses ways to improve transfer policies such as common course numbering and common core classes, and offers state examples. (Gina Shkodriani, Education Commission of the States, December 2003)...
Teacher Education Baccalaureate Degrees at Community Colleges PDF - This paper discusses community colleges that independently offer bachelor of arts programs in education without a four-year university partnership. It includes state examples, implications, policy challenges and policy recommendations. (Gina Shkodriani, Education Commission of the States, December 2003)...
The Impact of Mentoring on Teacher Retention: What the Research Says MS Word PDF - This report’s primary objective is to provide policymakers, educators and researchers with a reliable assessment of what is known, and not known, about the effectiveness of teacher induction programs. In particular, this review focuses on the impact of induction and mentoring programs on teacher retention. (Richard Ingersoll and Jeffrey Kralik, ECS, February 2004)...
Vouchers Early Lessons from Colorado's Voucher Experience PDF - Colorado is the first state to enact a school voucher law in the wake of the landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of school vouchers. This report describes Colorado’s voucher program, and then looks at what state leaders on either side of the issue hope it will accomplish – or fear it will lead to. The report also examines the implementation and evaluation processes being put into place for the Colorado program, and concludes with how evaluations might converge with voucher debates in the future. (Alex Medler and Todd Ziebarth, Education Commission of the States, May 2004)...
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