For effective schools, leadership is vital. As the structure of American education evolved, a model of how a local school board should function emerged. The model is briefly summarized and research on educational leadership, challenges of school board service in New York State, and responsibilities of school boards are discussed. Key leadership…

School staff members need continuing opportunities to learn and grow because the waves of social change strike them first and most powerfully. Research on effective schools tends to stress staff development as crucial. School boards are involved in the development of their staff. A staff development program of broad scope and sharp focus can…

The guidelines discuss the role of the New York Board of Education in the education of children with handicapping conditions. Specific sections address roles regarding relationship to the Committee on the Handicapped, identification of children needing special education, development of individualized education programs, assurance of…

A report and recommendations endorsed by the New York State School Boards Association concerning the problem of functionally illiterate students leaving school are presented as an official position paper. Recommendations are made in the areas of local action, action to be undertaken by the commissioner of education, state action, federal action,…

Guidance is provided in the area of facilities planning, design, and management. Facilities directly influence learning in physical as well as psychological ways. In facilities development, long-range plannning is critical. Strategic and tactical planning characterize an effective planning process. Facilities advisory committees should be involved…

Suggestions are presented to help public, school, academic, and special libraries celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of New York's educational system, known as the University of the State of New York, and its Board of Regents. The University of the State of New York was founded in 1784 by the state legislature; it embraces all…

To meet the challenge of effective instructional support, districts should develop and implement policies governing remedial education that are tailored to the needs of students and the resources of their local communities. An overview of state and federal remedial education programs is provided. Varying combinations of factors within and outside…

Testing and assessment have become extremely important components of the educational program. The purpose of this position paper is to provide factual and policy-related information that may be of use to school boards as they design or improve their districts' testing and assessment policies. It is the New York State policy that school boards…

An outline of questions is provided for evaluating student transportation systems. Questions are listed under the following topics: board of education policy, legal compliance, routing, contract transportation, special transportation, finance, purchasing, personnel, safety, vehicles, garage, maintenance, insurance, and energy conservation. (MLF)

This handbook was developed by the Bureau of School Health Education and Services of the New York State Education Department to provide school authorities with a guide for an effective school immunization program. It offers direction for local development of immunization policies and procedures, an overview of effective program activities, a…

Intended for New York State school board members, the guide outlines the responsibilities of board members regarding education of handicapped students. An overview of state and federal rules and regulations is followed by sections on the board's role in the following areas: working with the Committee on the Handicapped, identifying children in…

A reference guide to laws, rules, and regulations that govern nursing practice in New York State is presented. In addition to identifying requirements/procedures for obtaining licensure and first registration as a licensed practical nurse and registered professional nurse, general provisions of Title VIII of the Education Law are covered, along…

The budgeting handbook for school districts in the State of New York was first published in 1955. This latest revision is designed to address a number of significant changes that have occurred recently in the area of school finance and management. It is also designed to provide a basis for the establishment and maintenance of budgetary systems in…

New York State education law, rules, and regulations concerning the practice of pharmacy are presented. Provisions relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution, purity, potency, and labeling of drugs are included. State statutory provisions cover: licensing, duration and registration of a license, practice and regulation of the profession,…

This handbook provides New York State school administrators with information on state education law and regulations concerning elementary and secondary education. Section 1 of the handbook includes policies, guidelines, and procedures for specific subsections of the commissioner of education's Regulations. Regulations have the force and effect of…