Tells efforts by Pearland Independent School District (Texas) school board and superintendent to adopt a standardized dress code, an effort that led to student and community opposition and controversy. Describes lessons learned. (PKP)

A recent Fifth United States Circuit Court of Appeals decision stipulates that a school board may regulate "employe expression" only in rare circumstances--to prevent, for example, serious disruption of school activities--and only where the board has allowed for a timely review of the superintendent's decisions about distributing…

This paper describes a study that explored superintendent and school-board evaluations. Specifically, it looked at some of the methods and uses of boards' evaluations of superintendents and some of the needs and methods of boards' evaluation of themselves. Data for the study were collected from 188 surveys of selected school superintendents in…

Now a growing number of Texas homeschoolers want to send their children off to class, if only a few hours a day. But as in other states, not all educators in the Lone Star State think students should be able to select just a course or two. A bill that would have encouraged schools to offer classes on an a la carte basis failed for the third time…

This research is a case study of change and racial/ethnic conflict in the Dallas, Texas, Independent School District (DISD). Data are drawn from observations of monthly meetings of the school board. The focus is on communication as cultural projection among African American and Mexican American delegations at meetings and on the reactions evoked…

This paper presents findings of a study that identified the levels of moral development and ethical reasoning processes of school board members and school district attorneys. The two groups were selected because of the quasi-judicial role that board members play and because of the increasing legalization of the schooling process. A survey of 155…

A questionnaire completed by 251 school board members from across Texas revealed wide disagreement over the role of the school superintendent. Respondents identified the sizes of their districts, their educational attainment levels, and their lengths of tenure, then indicated whether responsibility for each of 29 tasks in 4 broad areas should rest…

Explains how the Texas legislature, ignoring a special committee recommendation to eliminate vocational education, retained categorical funding, but changed funding formulas and made other reforms that will result in fewer vocational programs overall. (SK)

Zero-based budgeting was instituted in all Texas state-funded agencies in 1975-76, including colleges. The first two years of using this procedure are reviewed and its applicability to higher education institutions is examined in light of the need to consider educational quality as well as costs. (MSE)

The Houston Community College (HCC) 2010-2011 Fact Book provides statistical information about the college district. It is important for the reader to be aware that data presented in this publication may differ slightly from statistics found in other district reports. Such variances may result from differences methodology including the source of…

The 361 Texas school districts with 20% and over Chicano student composition were examined to determine whether the school board's ethnic composition reflected the student body's ethnic composition. The ethnicity of the student body and ethnicity of the school board were compared to determine if Chicanos were equitably represented. School…

One of the conditions set forth in the hiring of the new superintendent of a southeast Texas school district was that a reduction in force would be accomplished. How this process, that usually involves six months planning time and and additional year to carry out, was accomplished in a period of six months is detailed in this speech. An analysis…

The Texas attorney general has said that this state's textbook antievolution rules violate the First Amendment. Responses and issues related to this statement are discussed. The history of these rules is also discussed. (JN)

Presenting evidence of widespread racism in schools and its negative effect on children of color, authors argue for the use of state accountability systems to achieve educational equity and social justice for racial minorities. Results of Texas achievement test showing a narrowing of academic achievement gap between whites and minorities are cited…

"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) State of American Business: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Says U.S. Could Face a "Severe Worker Shortage" Unless…