This edition of Perspectives highlights the ECS conference on urban district takeovers attended by key policymakers form 14 states. Two cities describe their experiences, issues were debated and defined, and focus on student learning became the key point. All participants agreed that state efforts must support local solutions.
Notes provide information on state-level policies concerning specific issues.
This publication prompts postsecondary education to rethink its roles, responsibilities and relationship with K-12 education by profiling state efforts in Oregon, Wisconsin and Florida. These states lead the nation in developing new mechanisms to address student preparation for college, coordinating reform efforts between K-12 and postsecondary education, increasing quality and decreasing education costs. Discussants address issues directly related to the actual implementation of restructuring efforts currently taking place in public postsecondary institutions. This collection of essays offers twenty-four perspectives from opinion leaders, educators, students, advocates, academics, journalists, policymakers, and citizens on education reform and the importance of improving America's schools and school systems. These essays inform the debate and ask important questions whose answers will help shape the future.