The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the main federal statute governing special education for children from birth through age 21. IDEA protects the rights of children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). It also supplements state and local funding to pay for some of the additional or excess costs of…

The conflict-resolution technique of interpersonal negotiation involves five steps: (1) state your positive intentions; (2) define, analyze, and discuss the problem; (3) summarize progress; (4) explore alternative solutions; and (5) set a time for follow-up. (MLF)

Peacekeeping strategies for school-board meetings include developing a code of conduct that spells out guidelines for behavior and then enforcing it; bringing in a neutral observer to help board members work through what is really worrying them; and concentrating on policy. (MLF)

Local governance of education is based on recognizing and protecting the rights of minorities while attempting to meet the needs of all. Legally, various courts across the country have upheld the rights of school officials to make choices regarding curriculum textbooks, library books, and general subject matter. Board policy should include the…

With state budgets in trouble across the United States, many school districts have already been hit with midyear cuts. Morale is the first and biggest issue administrators and school boards have to tackle. Successful leaders must be able to forecast what lies ahead and plan for the future. Good communication with staff and the public is crucial to…

In spite of the different opinions among educators in the public and nonpublic sectors, dialog should be opened by educational policymakers. This report is intended as a resource for facilitating liaison mechanisms between the two sectors. The first section provides an overview of possible causes of conflicts between public and nonpublic schools.…

This handbook was written to help school boards conduct routine business meetings more efficiently, and thereby improve their ability to reach constructive decisions and solve problems. After a brief introduction, the first chapter focuses on organizing the new school board, electing officers, adopting policies, and appointing committees. The…

This is the 16th publication in an annual series intended to provide New Jersey board members and administrators who are representing their district in negotiations with the latest information on legal developments affecting negotiations, practical advice on bargaining strategy and tactics, and a handy source of reference for important case law.…

This book provides basic information for new board of education members on a wide range of issues that have turned up on board of education agendas in New Jersey over the past 10 years. Separate sections are devoted to the following: (1) the New Jersey School Boards Association's code of ethics for board members; (2) the governance of New Jersey…