A guide to child abuse investigations reviews the following: theories of liability; legal responsibility to report child abuse; legal rights of a school employee accused of child abuse; legal problems that could arise if a school district enters into a secret settlement agreement; insurance concerns; and ways to interact with the press, the…

The District of Columbia Public Schools has adopted new learning standards for core subjects, including reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The new standards show what students should know and be able to do: (1) in each subject; (2) at each grade level; and (3) in every school. This publication guides parents…

The National School Boards Association (NSBA), the National School Boards Foundation, NSBA's Institute for the Transfer of Technology to Education, and Apple Computer, Inc., launched "The School Board of Tomorrow Exhibit" at NSBA's 1996 annual conference and exposition in Orlando, Florida. This handbook summarizes the communication technologies…

This handbook is intended to assist policy boards and Interagency Coordinating Councils in developing and writing clear guidelines for implementing Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which mandates early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities. Principles are rooted in a "family systems"…

These guidelines are intended to assist Colorado school districts and boards of cooperative services (BOCS) in developing systems which meet the requirements of the Certificated Personnel Performance Evaluation Act (as amended), which mandates written systems for performance evaluation of all certificated personnel. The guidelines distinguish…

Nongraded primary education is the practice of teaching children of different ages and ability levels together, without dividing them or the curriculum into steps labeled by "grade" designations. Changing from graded to nongraded structure requires a major investment of time, energy, and commitment on the part of teachers and…

This document provides an update on legal developments affecting negotiations between school boards and school district employees in New Jersey and discusses trends in union and board proposals and tactics. In the opening section, the available literature on bargaining is briefly reviewed. Section 2 defines the scope of negotiations for New…

A model which secondary school administrators, teachers, and students can use for school activities programs is provided in this publication. Thirteen attributes of a successful program are described along with the roles which student leaders, superintendents, boards of education, principals, school activity advisors, and coordinators ought to…

This program manual is for a four-school elementary bilingual education program in Tucson that aims at developing proficiency in the basic skills of the native language and transferring these skills to the second language. The following information is included in narrative and outline form: (1) goals; (2) program description; (3) overview of…

This handbook is intended to provide parents and students with an orientation to the high schools in the Rowland Unified School District (California). It can also serve as a model for other districts and schools which are developing orientation handbooks. Topics which are covered include: (1) school district personnel; (2) counseling and guidance…

The dismissal of public school teachers in Oregon is governed by the Fair Dismissal Law. The statutory requirements of the law involve (1) a notice from the superintendent of intent to dismiss, (2) school board approval of dismissal, (3) the teacher's right to appeal to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board (FDAB), and (4) the school board's and…

Using a question and answer format, this booklet explains state high school graduation requirements for classified special education students in New Jersey. Classified pupils must meet all state and local graduation requirements unless exempted in their individualized educational programs (IEPs). Fulfilling IEP requirements qualifies a classified…

This manual provides information concerning the appropriate use of alternative testing techniques when pupils with handicapping conditions participate in statewide testing programs. It is written for parents and professionals involved in the education of pupils with handicapping conditions, and is to be used as a resource by members of Committees…

Many boards of education have attendance policies imposing grade reductions and/or loss of credit on students with unexcused absences. This paper reviews state legislative action on the subject, specific court cases, and the interpretations of statutes and practices by attorneys general and commissioners of education. Most states have general…

This guide provides assistance to New Mexico school districts in implementing a state-sponsored teacher performance evaluation plan (Provision III of the New Mexico Staff Accountability Plan, adopted by the State Board of Education). This plan involves five basic procedures: (1) determine specific definitions of the six essential teaching…