A total of 942 (59 percent of the national sample) school board members, administrators, and teachers responded to a merit pay opinion survey. Factor analysis revealed six factors; as hypothesized, school board members tended to be in greater agreement with the issues than either administrators or teachers. (MLF)

Analyzes the creation, structure, and function of the Cleveland Office on School Monitoring and Community Relations. Offers an assessment which includes suggestions about how other court-ordered monitoring bodies might be organized. (KH)

Discusses court decisions in relation to the Equal Access Act and provides two sample policies for schools to follow. One limits student activities, and the second allows noncurriculum-related student meetings. (MD)

Although school boards have the authority to order a teacher to undergo a medical examination, the board's concern should be only with the teacher's fitness. Policy guidelines are offered that protect a teacher's right to due process. (MLF)

Addresses allegations that public schools are unconstitutionally promoting secular humanism. Presents perspectives defining secular humanism and explores whether secular humanism is considered a religion under the establishment clause. Deals with charges by conservative parent groups. (164 references) (MLF)

Adding an African-American perspective to the curriculum is advocated by some to combat 200 years of systematic defamation of African people generally. Advises board members to meet the challenge of multicultural education by beginning immediately to recognize and acknowledge the roles of various cultures in history and infusing that into the…

Board members can initiate three strategies to improve writing instruction: (1) an inservice program in writing instruction; (2) a new staffing pattern that includes hiring writing specialists; and (3) achievement tests to measure program success. Describes several successful writing projects. (MLF)

Thirty school administrators attended board meetings throughout eastern Pennsylvania and found an astounding variety in the quality of the meetings. Common-sense recommendations include paying attention to the stage, following a script, keeping the cast in mind, and handling the press properly. (MLF)

School boards should require districts take the following actions: (1) make programs for at-risk students an ongoing priority; (2) assign the same quality of staff for at-risk programs as for other programs; (3) hold staff members, students, and administrators strictly accountable; and (4) insist that all district departments give equal services…

School boards are increasingly responsible for the needs of children who live in families with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Boards must provide the climate and the policies that will enable open, factual, and sensitive discussion of the issues surrounding AIDS and HIV. Sidebars summarize some…

Discusses the particular need of high schools to develop Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) policies. Discusses the prevalence and risk of HIV in the adolescent population and the legal implications of policies. Describes and evaluates various policies of Illinois public high schools. Concludes with a…

A case study of an anonymous but real-life district swamped in a conflict that involves a succession of superintendents, an entrenched school board secretary, a teacher who was fired and later elected board president, and several board members recalled. Three school leaders offer their advice. (MLF)

School board members can influence legislation by conveying accurate information, building coalitions and grassroots support, and understanding legislators and their political climate. Offers suggestions from experts on how to lobby more effectively. Lists seven resources, and contains a brief glossary of legislative terms and a brief primer of…

Practical lessons in lobbying at the state level include the following: practice friendly persuasion and good timing; accentuate the positive; and be consistently accurate and honest. Lists 19 do's and don'ts of lobbying. (MLF)

More than 500 school districts currently operate under court-ordered desegregation mandates. Provides an overview of desegregation litigation and cites recent developments that may portend the end of judicial oversight for a number of school districts. (48 references) (MLF)