An analysis of a sample of contracts from various state school districts shows a considerable erosion of management's control of the schools, but recent fiscal problems and a surplus of teachers may make the teachers' victories short-lived or at least difficult to extend. (Author)

This manual presents practical advice on planning and adopting an integrated pest management (IPM) program for Pennsylvania educational facilities. The manual covers how to implement a school IPM, school IPM operational information for the school administrator, and technical information for Pennsylvania schools concerning various pests found in…

To investigate the role of an outside consultant, the 504 school districts in Pennsylvania were surveyed. Responses from 87 percent of the districts revealed that hiring a consultant is significantly related to an increase in the number of bargaining sessions and to a higher level of contract settlement conflict. (MLF)

Pennsylvania's attempt to implement competency-based education in the public schools is a well-meaning but misguided effort to improve the schools. It will succeed only in diverting vast amounts of time, energy, and intelligence away from more important and more attainable goals. (Author/IRT)

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the GROW program on the intrinsic, extrinsic, and the general job satisfaction of principals and assistant principals in Pennsylvania. The impact of the variables of year in position, age, gender, level of work, location of school, and present degree was examined; the impact of…

"Corrective Reading" is designed to promote reading accuracy (decoding), fluency, and comprehension skills of students in third grade or higher who are reading below their grade level. The program has four levels that address students' decoding skills and six levels that address students' comprehension skills. All lessons in the program…

As a Family and Consumer Science educator at Union City High School in Union City, Pennsylvania, I have heard and seen a great deal. I have been teaching for 24 years at this rural Pennsylvania Middle/High School where teen pregnancy has always been a problem. Teaching students abstinence as the only method of birth control has been a major…

Among the findings of telephone interviews of 50 Pennsylvania superintendents are that the superintendents are irked by the paperwork demands of governmental agencies, uneasy about not being closer to instruction and the classroom, and feeling the pressures of the job, but ready to do it over again. (Author/IRT)

During the summer of 2005, a longtime Japanese teacher at a K-8 school in southwestern Pennsylvania unexpectedly resigned. The school, unable to recruit a new teacher for the 2005-2006 school year, chose to suspend the teaching of Japanese and to establish a committee to examine the foreign language program within the overall school curriculum. In…

This document contains lesson plans about recycling for teachers in grades K-12. Titles include: (1) "Waste--Where Does It Come From? Where Does It Go?" (2) "Litter Detectives," (3) "Classroom Paper Recycling," (4) "Recycling Survey," (5) "Disposal and Recycling Costs," (6) "Composting…

Provides an overview of a unit on the American Revolutionary War. Presents the text of a slide lecture used to illustrate the involvement of the area around Collegeville, Pennsylvania in the military history of the United States. (JDH)

The Pennsylvania State Department of Education recently changed to a noncategorical certificate for special education teachers based on three factors: overlap in categorical programs, generalization of materials and methods across all categories, and similarity in daily activities of special education teachers regardless of categorical assignment.…

Secondary agriculture teachers (n=153) rated their current and desired levels of competence in working with students with disabilities. Lowest ratings went to preparation of individual education plans and vocational education plans, legal knowledge, knowledge of appropriate teaching methods, and ability to help students view assets and limitations…

Explores how, for 20 years, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has successfully conserved resources by purchasing technology-related equipment through a buyer's consortium. (GR)

Annually, ACT provides a snapshot of the college and career readiness of ACT-tested high school graduates. This report is offered as a service to inform policymakers and practitioners about selected indicators of effectiveness and how that translates into readiness. It is designed to stimulate discussion, inquiry, and action. This report is…