EDUCATION REFORM

The top education news story in the United States was all about reform. When President Clinton announced education as a top priority during his 1997 State of the Union address everyone in the country seemed to have an opinion. By the end of the year, a multitude of new ideas and debates had sprung forth.

Read the full text of the address which includes Clinton's 10-point plan for education reform or Secretary of Education, Richard Riley's Fourth Annual State of American Education Address

Related Resources:

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997
• Clinton announces Internet grants for schools
• Families' Guide to the 1997 Tax Cuts for Education

National Testing:

• Brouhaha on National School Testing
• President Clinton's 10-point plan of action at the U.S. Department of Education Web site

Tax Cuts:

• Education: Tax credit eases tuition crunch

Teacher's Unions:

• Teachers Unions Jump On Bandwagon of School Reform
• Teacher Unions Announce First National Collaboration

Alternative Schools:

• A Study of Charter Schools: First-Year Report
• One in Four U.S. Businesses and Industries Involved in School-to-Work Initiatives

Separation of Church and State:

• Public school teachers can help in church schools
• Online Text of the AGOSTINI et al. v. FELTON et al. decision

Vouchers:

• Policy.com looks at School Vouchers
• Voucher Bill Fails on Bipartisan Vote in House

Volunteerism:

• Students may be required to do charity work
• Involuntary Volunteers
• America's Promise

 

CANADIAN TEACHERS STRIKE

The top education news story internationally was the teacher's strike in Ontario, Canada. This was the largest such strike in that country's history and brought up a lot of issues regarding education. When it was over many of the outstanding issues remained.

Read an article describing the outcome of the strike and the fallout from it at Impact of Bill 160 remains to be seen Or follow the progress of the strike and learn some of the details of the issues.

Related Resources:

• Thud! Teachers bring fight to classrooms
• Some firms may face tax hike, Eves admits
• Opinions on education bill in stark contrast
• Tightened security for school bill vote Monday
• School reform clears last hurdle today
• Bill 160 passes with barely a peep of protest
• "Sad day" for teachers as Bill 160 is passed
• Teachers, parents say they'll keep fight alive