An Analysis of the Internal Consistency of Selected Aspects of the Legal Framework for Chapter 1, ECIA.

This paper describes and analyzes the internal consistency of the formal and informal legal frameworks governing certain aspects of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 Chapter 1 Program. A major focus is how these frameworks differ from those of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the program which Chapter 1 superseded. The formal framework of Chapter 1 includes statutory provisions, federal regulations, Education Department guidelines, and congressional interpretations that are published and disseminated widely throughout the 14,000 participating school districts. Informal frameworks are Education Department correspondence and written instruments and instructions that the programs generate. The frameworks are discussed in the following three categories: (1) federal management and oversight; (2) state management and oversight; and (3) local implementation. In general the legal provisions were found to be consistent on all levels after technical amendments and other adjustments are considered. There has been some success in the efforts to reduce the length, prescriptiveness, and complexity of the legal framework. Some inconsistency was found in ensuring service equivalence, but the solution for this lies with administrators and the fairness with which personnel is assigned. (VM)