In its June 1998 "Gebser" decision, the U.S. Supreme Court virtually eliminated the strategy of suing school districts in cases where students have been sexually harassed by school employees. Summarizes the majority position in the 5-4 decision and presents Justice Stevens's main dissenting opinion. Unresolved is the sexual harassment of…

There is a profound cultural chasm between K-12 and higher education. School Board members can play an important role in calling attention to interlevel connections. Major issues include equity factors and lack of congruence between the expanding state standards movement and college admissions and placement practices. (MLF)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Senate Committee Reports Education Spending Bill: Senate Appropriations Bill Continues Cuts to Education Funding;…

This report offers background information on the restructuring of higher education in New Jersey's State Department and Board of Higher Education in 1994, focusing primarily on the substance of the proposals, components of the legislation, and the process through which the changes were developed. Political debates and dimensions are not addressed…

Both business and education leaders have come to view their alliance as the way to educate America's youth to meet society's needs. Because successful businesses are flexible and adaptable, business leaders can work with school boards in changes promoted by the current school reform movement. Board members need to work with business to identify…

Guidelines in an outline format are presented to school board members and administrators on how to handle impasses in bargaining. The following two rules are given: there sometimes may be strikes, but there always will be settlements; and on the way to settlements, there always will be impasses. Suggestions for handling impasses are listed under…

The suggestions contained in this guide are intended for local Illinois school boards faced with surplus school property. School boards should have open meetings to advise the community of the decision to sell or lease the property. Liaison committees should be established for communication between the school board and the city council, planning…

This report, an update of the 1978 survey of national merit pay plans for teachers, provides descriptive data on currently operating merit pay plans and state level activities. Outlining current research, the report points out that neither a commonly acceptable definition of merit pay nor a generally acceptable method of determining meritorious…

This 3-year study attempted to identify school and district management practices that produce exemplary urban high schools. Information was gathered from 40 high schools with the following characteristics: (1) offering a comprehensive curriculum with no examination requirements; (2) located in one of the 166 largest and densest central cities; and…

Six policy issues emerging from a Midwest dissemination conference on the Richardson Study are highlighted. The focus is on facilitating policy initiatives in gifted education among local and state school districts. Policy statements on each of the following issues are cited: improving identification procedures; articulating goals, programs, and…

Project SLATE (State Leadership Assistance for Technology in Education) was designed to assist state-level policy makers plan effective uses of emerging electronic learning technology in education within their respective states. In addition to providing custom-designed workshops in 20 states focusing upon state-level priority issues and needs for…

In conjunction with a bond proposal for energy related items, the North County Public Schools (Missouri) undertook the task of removing friable asbestos Missouri school district undertook the task of removing friable asbestos from schools. Specifications for asbestos abatement prepared by the district administrative office were reviewed by the…

Although many school boards' policies on public use of school district facilities are deliberately vague and allow administrators great flexibility in their interpretation, this paper advocates well-defined regulations. It presents a sample policy, discusses legal concerns, and suggests essential provisions of facility-use policy. The policy…

Statewide planning for higher education, with specific reference to Massachusetts, is discussed in a 1982 Alden Seminar position paper, comments regarding the position paper, and an overview of the overall seminar. In "One Half Revolution, One Half Status Quo: Remarks on A Long Range Plan for Public Higher Education in Massachusetts,"…

As part of a study initiated by the Illinois State Board of Education to provide information on which to base personnel policy for the state's schools, this report presents staff recommendations for future state policy governing all certified educational personnel. Recommendations cover the essential areas of personnel programs, including (1)…