Based on a survey of reduction-in-force (RIF) policies in effect in Virginia, a checklist of elements that a school board policy on RIF should include is presented. (Author/IRT)

Outlines what board members should and should not do during a strike in order to smooth the transition back to normal after the strike. (IRT)

After reviewing the history of commencement exercises, the author discusses areas that boards of education should address in setting policy on topics such as who can participate in graduation ceremonies. (IRT)

Provides guidelines a board of education should follow before a censorship controversy arises. Also includes a brief list of organizations that can assist in the preparation of guidelines for the selection of textbooks and other curricular materials, and, in handling complaints. (Author/IRT)

In a single evening workshop for school board members, teams of participants are given the facts of a situation previously confronted by a real school board and challenged to come up with a solution. After discussion, the real-life solution is revealed and compared to plans developed by the teams. (MLF)

This book provides basic information for new board of education members on a wide range of issues that have turned up on board of education agendas in New Jersey over the past 10 years. Separate sections are devoted to the following: (1) the New Jersey School Boards Association's code of ethics for board members; (2) the governance of New Jersey…

The U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America EnergySmart Schools program provides school boards, administrators, and design staff with guidance to help make informed decisions about energy and environmental issues important to school systems and communities. "The National Best Practices Manual for Building High Performance Schools" is a part of…

This reference guide, designed for school board members in the state of Alaska, provides overall information about school boards, board members, and board meetings, as they are defined by Alaska state legislation. The first section, "An Overview of Your School Board," provides general definitions, an overall description, and the formal…

Describes the growing trend of conflicts between school boards and superintendents, some of the various causes behind these conflicts, and practical steps board members and superintendents can take to avoid and to solve them. (IW)

School board members from 50 states have in common the United States Constitution and the legal principles announced by the federal courts in response to that Constitution. New board members are usually concerned with the rights of teachers, parents, and students. Starting with student rights, student conduct that involves freedom of expression…

Each local board of education and its committee on the handicapped are responsible for serving children who need special education. To assist school board members, this revision of a 1980 publication discusses the legal responsibilities of the boards and committees under Article 89 of the New York State Education Law and Part 200 of the Rules and…

School boards can improve their schools if they focus on four factors that educational research says most strongly influence school effectiveness. The four factors are (1) the time students spend on the subject matter each day, (2) textbooks, (3) teachers and their teaching methods, and (4) principals' support to help teachers achieve…

This selection guide is written for school board members in Wisconsin and in other states where school boards have the major responsibility for selecting their chief administrator. The superintendent selection process has recently become complicated by a perceived lack of qualified candidates and the growing use of administrator recruitment…

To clarify the role of the consultant in the search for and selection of a superintendent, this manual explains the obligations and expectations of boards, consultants, and applicants in the search and selection process and provides standards for hiring a consultant. School boards are provided guidelines for evaluating consultants' proposals and…

The superintendent of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, school district discusses the school improvement plan he has implemented in the Pittsburgh schools since 1981. (MD)