As the teacher representative on the Mississippi Board of Education, the author often has the opportunity to hear about many educational programs and initiatives during their early stages of development. One particular initiative presented to the state board in 2010 was the Common Core State Standards. After reading and studying the standards, the…

Based on the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) recent report, this article provides the foundation for state accountability systems that focus on improvement. Contains NASBE's proposed Public Policy Position on Low Performing Schools. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/MLF)

Reveals some of the lessons learned from state and local efforts to transform low-performing schools. Summarizes and analyzes the state and local intervention experience based on a review of efforts undertaken in 22 states since 1989. Classifies these interventions in terms of their intrusiveness: mild, moderate, and strong. (Contains 12…

The framework the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) lays out is that of quantifiably examining school performance and intervening in inverse proportion to success. Discusses five key challenges policymakers and educators must overcome to make the federal law work. (Author/MLF)

Summarizes data from evaluations of 20 community-school initiatives that demonstrate their impact on outcomes that directly affect student learning. Collective results show that community schools improve student learning; promote family engagement with students and schools; function more effectively; and add vitality to communities. (Author/MLF)

Options (busing, magnet schools, vouchers, and charters) proffered to make urban public schools more effective have met with political debate and mixed success. Suggests 14 basic policy initiatives that have sufficient use and research support to create genuine opportunities for student success. (Contains 13 references.) (Author/MLF)

Senator Collins of Maine plans to fight for proper federal funding of the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) that allows rural schools to combine federal funding sources. Collins, and Senator Dianne Feinstein, will soon introduce legislation that will eliminate inequities in the current Social Security law that penalize teachers and other…

Challenges facing rural schools include consolidation, teacher quality, equitable funding, and adequate facilities. The president of the National Rural Education Association presents his views on these issues based on visits around the country. (Author)

Discuss the "new" state politics of education focusing on the role of state governors and business groups in shaping educational policy driven by the standards-based reform movement. (PKP)

Describes the expanded responsibility of state governments and local school districts to improve student academic achievement in elementary and secondary schools under the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, which expands the federal role in education. (PKP)

Argues for a more effective relationship between state boards of education and state legislatures. Includes brief history of board-legislature relations in Pennsylvania and suggests ways to improve that relationship in light of standards-based school-reform efforts. (PKP)