Survey forms sent to a random sample of 5,271 school board members elicited responses from 1,096 (21 percent) board members. Lists the demographics of school board service, the specific budget cuts board members made last year, and choices they would make if further cuts were needed in the current budget. (MLF)

By law and example, school boards must govern within scope of Bill of Rights. Cites West Virginia State Board of Education v Barnette, in which Supreme Court in 1943 upheld two Jehovah's Witness children's right to refuse to participate in daily flag salute ceremony. Urges schools to teach students principles of democracy and also of individual…

Rural schools bear a responsibility for taking all appropriate measures to protect their youth from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A national survey of 400 rural schools, with 100 responding schools, reveals that the HIV education offered in most rural schools does not meet the standards health educators suggest. Recommends a community…

School boards need to learn how to galvanize public support. Suggests ways to communicate with and involve citizens in supporting schools. Suggestions include parent centers, television interviews, cable access, community newsletters, and opening the schools to the community. (MLF)

Cleveland, Ohio, Public Schools acknowledged the negative impact of gangs on the education environment by creating a gang intervention and prevention team. Advises school districts on signs to watch for, steps staff can take, and how to tell the press. Stresses publishing and reinforcing rules in a student handbook and conducting training programs…

A Michigan school district has developed its own system to ensure the quality of student learning, and the school board has been actively involved. Although ranking near the bottom in Michigan's per-student dollar expenditures, Mattawan students consistently rank among the state's best. (MLF)

School boards considering contracting with a for-profit company should study the policy pitfalls that privatization might bring in the areas of personnel, finance, technology, program evaluation, negotiated contract waivers, program expansion, and student achievement. (MLF)

The current trend in equal-protection law is to reject the use of race-based, numerical formulas. However, in "Wessmann," a chief federal district judge in Massachusetts allowed race-based set-asides in the admission policy at Boston's three examination high schools. This decision, which is on appeal, has implications for school…

A Colorado school district approved a mill levy that tied additional future funding to improved student performance on the Colorado Student Assessment Program. In a single year the district met more than half of their 3-year goal and credits success to a focused, data-driven approach, a bipartisan citizens committee, a strategic plan, a plan for…

The demand for Bulletin 1915 No. 44, School Administration in the smaller cities, having been so great that the supply was soon exhausted, and the demand for it still being great, a new-bulletin regarding the administration of schools in the smaller cities has been prepared. The information contained in it was collected by means of a…

This presentation outlines the complaint investigation process developed by the Maine Department of Education to ensure a timely response to complaints concerning special education services, and to provide third party mediation and arbitration as needed. Complaint procedures required under federal regulations are outlined. Strengths and weaknesses…

This pamphlet answers the question "How can we best involve parents in the classroom?" at the level of the school council, school staff, and classroom teacher. Issues to be negotiated by school councils include the changing nature of Australian family structures, parents with small children at home, parents helping after school hours,…

Recommendations on leasing or selling a surplus school building that has been closed due to declining enrollment are offered. Questions which need to be addressed in deciding which option to pursue are presented including whether it would be better to use the building for community purposes than to lease or sell it. The advantages and…

According to this paper, educators are underwhelmed with the rhetoric characterizing federal officials' pronouncements about schooling. Education Secretary William Bennett is assailed for goading state legislatures into educational improvement efforts while downplaying federal responsibility in this area. This speech expresses serious reservations…

The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges reports annually to the Board of Governors on the number and types of new community college programs and courses approved during the preceding academic year. This state-level approval is based on the following criteria: appropriateness to the system's mission, need for the program or course,…