Emerging Issues: A Survey of Education Committee Chairs. State Issues Series.

Overview & Synopsis

During fall 1987, the National Conference of State Legislatures contacted the education and higher education committee chairs in every state legislature to ask them about emerging issues. Financing education remains the paramount concern, and the teaching profession and governance are also guaranteed a place in legislative debate. Other areas identified through this survey have emerged during recent sessions. Legislators and the public want their tax dollars to produce a quality education system. Hence, the resulting interest in accountability will endure into the next decade, as will the emphasis on education reform even though it has shifted from passing reform legislation to maintaining legislated reforms and making them work. Issues to watch for during the upcoming sessions include restructuring schools, early childhood education, minority and disadvantaged youth, and money for technology in schools. Tables provide rankings of top issues by state as well as state listings of top issues in 1988. (SI)