This webinar on effective school leaders discussed the important relationship between a school's socio-economic status, school leadership, and teacher turnover rate. Participants explored the major role of school leaders in fostering teacher effectiveness and discussed strategies they can use at the local level to increase school leader…

Looks at the Texas Education Network (TENET), a computer network that allows students to communicate with students all over the country. Describes projects used in a business education classroom. (JOW)

Notes that, in Texas, counselors were excluded from mandated educational reforms and that state and local counselor organizations are attempting to clarify whether counselors should be placed on career ladder and should be appraised by statewide system. Sees counselor's role in reform movement as vital because it can stabilize and balance local…

This article presents an interview with Jim Hirsch, an associate superintendent for technology at Piano Independent School District in Piano, Texas. Hirsch serves as a liaison for the open technologies committee of the Consortium for School Networking. In this interview, he shares his opinion on the significance of open source in K-12.

Examines Texas adoption process, described by author as having an inordinate impact on textbook market. Creationist opposition to evolution content in biological textbooks is well organized. Author presents 10 arguments made at hearing by creationists that he describes as a monument to scientific illiteracy. Asserts that creationists' confusion of…

Describes technological changes in six areas (communications, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, product distribution, and finance) that have not yet been absorbed into the nation's school systems. Massive demographic, sociological, and political changes are also challenging today's change-resistant schools. (MLH)

Describes an English major's alternative route to second-language instruction in Texas schools. Alternative certification programs offer a more accessible route to teaching for a diverse population, including degreed graduates with content specialties, midcareer individuals eager for a change, and minority and male candidates largely…

Response to article in December 2000 "Phi Delta Kappan" by James Scheurich, Linda Skrla, and Joseph Johnson in support of the Texas Accountability System. Discusses flaws in the article's historical possibilities thesis and the inaccurate characterization of accountability as a dichotomy. Advocates Coalition for Authentic Reform…

A Texas superintendent debunks six legislative advocacy myths. Actually, superintendents have more political clout than board members. They should work with legislators even when the state legislature is not in session, communicate effectively by telephone, work with "noninfluential" legislators, influence the state education…

Notes that for most of the past decade, there have been rumblings that the National Reading Conference, the parent organization of this journal, should be involved in influencing educational policy making, but these discussions often seem grounded in one or more unwarranted assumptions. Challenges these assumptions through the use of descriptive…

Examines the interpretation and implementation of the policies affecting the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs in Texas. Provides recommendations for consideration by the legislature, local school districts, and county juvenile agencies. (Author/JOW)

The guidelines for vocational assessment of handicapped students are intended to help Texas educators fulfill requirements that a vocational assessment be completed before a handicapped student is placed in a vocational education program. Three levels of assessment data are distinguished: Level I data which are collected by special education…

Examines the effect of the educational reform movement and changes in the evaluation system on issues dealing with teacher development and retention. Recent events in Texas are used to explain how some issues, such as recertification testing, may be dealt with and to identify other issues that still need resolution. (GEA)

Outcomes of the sweeping Texas Education Reform Bill of 1984 are highlighted. The roles of taxpayers, legislatures, state agencies, local school boards, administrators, teachers, and students in public education are noted in this discussion of the feasibility of legislating educational change. (MT)

A review is presented of recent educational changes affecting or taking place in Texas, including discussion regarding improved testing measures and results, remedial instruction, programs for students with special needs, grading and promotion standards for students, teacher salaries, teaching conditions, and funding. (CB)