Public schools as formal organizations have broad-based goals, limited resources, and a formal hierarchy with which to manage the goal achievement process. The board of education combines this organization's economic and political dimensions to provide a thorough, efficient education for all children in the state. This paper investigates the…

As a product of judicial rulings on the legality of acts of educational authorities and on the constitutionality of educational legislation, the common law authoritatively constrains the actions of school officials. Courts have recently delineated general boundaries in two important areas of school law: (1) Tort liability of school districts, and…

When considering student expulsion, it is important to keep complete records of all hearings and proceedings. Reviewed is a recent Pennsylvania court case in which a board decision to expel two students was overturned in the courts because no hearing records were kept. (MD)

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PHILADELPHIA HAS NOW ENTERED THE SECOND PHASE OF THE INTEGRATION MOVEMENT. NOW THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD AND A RESPONSIBLE SEGMENT OF THE COMMUNITY ARE FOR INTEGRATION, THE ACT OF INTEGRATION IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN PHILADELPHIA IS OUTLINED. ONE PART OF THE MOVEMENT DEALT WITH…

The characteristics, objectives, and application of the present Pennsylvania subsidy system are reviewed. The relative ability of each school district to support its educational program is equalized by the State paying each school district a share of the cost of its educational program. The State's share for each school district varies in relation…

Perceptions of school superintendents and school board members regarding their respective roles in school governance were studied with 175 superintendents and 226 school board members. Significant differences were found in role perceptions of superintendents and school board members; both groups believed they should have more authority relative to…

The forces seeking to subject the theory of evolution to greater criticism tasted both victory and defeat. Kansas officials approved an overhaul of their state science standards to do just that, while voters in a rural Pennsylvania district ousted advocates of "intelligent design" from the school board. Those two high-profile battles…

K-8 centers combine grades in one location or school that are usually assigned to a separate elementary (K-5) and middle school (6-8). In 1998 the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, approved a pilot program to introduce to the district the concept of K-8 centers. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) initiated two K-8 centers during…

The political nature of educational governance has been established in other papers dealing with school board elections in states not having partisan election of school board members. The research reported in this paper was conducted in Pennsylvania, a state in which candidates for the school board must declare their party and run on a partisan…

To address the professional needs of principals and other middle management supervisors, school boards might consider meet-and-discuss sessions, a middle ground between unilateral board action and collective bargaining. Sessions are nonbinding, produce better decisions, confront root causes of job dissatisfaction, and can strengthen the management…

Human relations committees, composed of all elements in the school district family, were formed in each school to initiate self-study programs and assist in planning school assemblies stressing cultural awareness. (Author)

Statistical analysis of factors offered as explanations for teacher militancy demonstrates that they possess little value in differentiating striking from nonstriking school districts. Boards cannot depend on objective measures alone in preparing for negotiations and might better aim their efforts in other directions. (Author/IRT)

The question of whether "intelligent design" amounts to legitimate science, pseudo-science, or religion masquerading as science has underwent a potentially historic legal test, as a federal court in Pennsylvania considered whether a public school district can require that students be exposed to the controversial concept. Eleven parents…

This research study was designed to build grounded theory about the challenges faced by rural superintendents. Participating rural superintendents identified five areas that presented a challenge but that also applied to superintendents in other settings: school law, finance, personnel, government mandates, and district or board policies. Further,…

This guide outlines a step-by-step procedure for requesting school board approval for school-based child care programs. Individuals or groups contemplating the creation of such programs need to: (1) gain community support through public meetings; (2) approach school board members and district officials to gauge their level of support; (3) document…