The study documents effective state and local policies in providing related services to handicapped children as required by PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The areas reviewed include those state policies which clarify education agencies' responsibilities, and those which increase the resources available for related…

This document presents policies and guidelines adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education for the registration and voluntary recognition of nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. The policies and guidelines are advisory and request what is considered to be desirable action. The document first provides definitions of nonpublic school,…

This publication is the 10th in a series of Educational Research Service monographs designed to summarize judicial decisions on elementary and secondary education issues. The cases included in this edition were selected from judicial decisions found in federal and regional reporters in the period from June 30, 1987, to June 30, 1988. Chapter…

The budgeting handbook for school districts in the State of New York was first published in 1955. This latest revision is designed to address a number of significant changes that have occurred recently in the area of school finance and management. It is also designed to provide a basis for the establishment and maintenance of budgetary systems in…

This handbook details methods Pennsylvania school districts might adopt in order to meet State attendance regulations. Following a brief introduction, a list of general topic references in the law is given as an aid to awareness of the variety of issues addressed by statute and regulation. Next, guidelines are presented for developing school…

Many rural school districts are contemplating joint administrative agreements at the superintendent and central staff level. An Illinois superintendent who participated as a joint administrator of two districts points out the advantages and disadvantages of such an arrangement. The potential budget savings often allow the hiring of a top…

In late 1982 Mississippi passed a massive school improvement program shaped around the effective schools concept as defined by Ron Edmonds. The characteristics of effective schools identified by Edmonds and made the cornerstone of the Mississippi legislation were that (1) the principal is a strong instructional leader; (2) the school has an…

Describes a plan for developing a policy for helping school staff overcome chemical dependencies. Provides an example of a written school district policy addressing the matter. (MD)

Examines a group of cases showing there are few restraints on a board of education's right to hire and reappoint only the best teachers and administrators. A board's decision not to renew the contract of an "average" teacher in order to look for a better teacher will stand. (MLF)

SABIS International Charter School was among 24 Commonwealth charter schools included in a study undertaken by the Office of the Inspector General in March 1998. The Office identified weaknesses in the contracting practices, procurement procedures, and financial management. Findings include: (1) the Board of Trustees did not employ sound business…

This manual is intended primarily to support policymakers and managers in local education authorities (LEAs) in carrying out their duties under Britain's Further and Higher Education Act 1992 in the new context of collaborative planning as set out in the 1998 Green Paper, "Learning Is for Everyone." Section 1 provides a summary of the…

Educators today see the vast network of online information resources known as the Internet as the key to a lifetime of educational learning and development. Discusses pornography, obscenity, defamation, and intellectual property issues, especially the uploading and downloading of information. Concludes with the Shelby County (Kentucky) Schools…

In "Mergens," the Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Access Act was constitutional and that students at a high school with a "limited open forum" could participate in a prayer club. Provides a chronology of First Amendment and Equal Access Act cases; advises school boards about policy issues; and lists the availability of a…

A possible sex scandal involving a teacher and a teenage student rocked the community in Anchorage, Alaska. Privacy and labor laws and union contract forbade board members from discussing the retirement deal that had been negotiated with the accused teacher. Hindsight suggests board members should have shared what information they could with the…

Describes the plan to decentralize all public schools in Chicago (Illinois). The following unique features are discussed: (1) local school councils governing each school; (2) principals' responsibilities; (3) central school board's role; (4) specific school and system goals. (FMW)