A review of the major studies of administrative behavior introduces this consideration of what features of administrative agencies, either in structure or patterns of organization, have been associated with their successful operation. The theories of interorganizational relations reviewed include the political economy approach, the organization…

This overview contains annual evaluation reports of State Advisory Councils on Vocational Education (SACVEs) in 57 states and territories as well as an analysis of what, on a national level, the reports seem to say. Part 1 is the overview analysis of SACVE annual reports. It focuses on 10 relatively common issues or concerns: funding, leadership…

This exploration of the current literature on organized evaluations of presidents at higher education institutions reveals five issues related to the development of effective evaluations. The first of these is the need for a formal evaluation based on the social context in which administrators work and not upon models gleaned from officer…

Traditional separation of politics and education creates two distinct bodies of literature neither of which is adequate for an understanding of the dilemmas school administrators face. Political realities should be recognized and a school commissioner should be responsible to the mayor. (Author/LHW)

This literature review examines the functional tasks of the school district central office and the internal dynamics of relations between the central office and district schools (with their principals, teachers, and students). It builds on previous reviews of the role of school boards and superintendents. The review begins by analyzing studies of…

Public and private college participation in program review activities of 45 state-level higher education agencies are classified as either reactive, advisory, formative, or voting, depending upon institutional access to decision making. Such access had important ramifications for the issue of reciprocity in conducting reviews and implementing…

This review examines the reasoning behind court decisions in selected cases that define the specific conditions under which restrictions may be imposed on a teacher's right to freedom of speech in the classroom and in the selection of instructional materials. From this review, guidelines are drawn for formulating district policy. (Author/SJL)

This article examines major court decisions and provides guidelines for determining program appropriateness for individual students with disabilities. Specific decisions reviewed include the 1982 Board of Education v. Rowley case, Diamond v. East Windsor Regional School District (1986), Russell v. Jefferson School District (1985), and Tolland v.…

State and federal governments have appropriated increasingly greater portions of decision-making policy from local school boards. This chapter discusses the politics and governance of local school districts, summarizing three major theoretical perspectives (decision-output, competition-participation, and dissatisfaction theories) and relevant…

Most of the data on the outcomes and effects of school uniforms come from elementary and middle schools. In many cases, school uniforms are only one part of an overall reform effort. More research is needed. Offers suggestions to help schools work on developing school-uniform policies and summarizes the legal view. (15 references) (MLF)

The "Electronic School," a supplement to "The American School Board Journal" and "The Executive Educator," contains eight articles, including topics of cyberspace, the school board of tomorrow, network how-to, a rural school and technology, and Internet news. (MLF)

Representatives of Saskatchewan school boards have formed the Small Schools Network, which met three times in 1995 to share ideas regarding small schools. This first report from the Small Schools Network articulates significant concerns and questions related to education in small schools. Unclear definitions of the small school present a barrier…

Although the current educational climate stresses a back-to-basics approach, there is nonetheless overwhelming evidence of a need for an appropriately structured parenting education program in the public school curriculum. Reasons for this need include the large number of teenage pregnancies and abortions. These lead teens to miss high school…

Tightened budgets and more decentralized governance of education demand greater effectiveness of state boards of education, departments of education, and chief state school officers, and offer them new opportunities for leadership. State boards have broad authority to make policy, though their significance is often underestimated. Researchers…

This paper includes a discussion of South Carolina's 1988 amendment to the law regulating home schooling instruction. A brief history of the law and the amendment is provided. Prior to the passage of the amendment, the State Board of Education approved home instruction programs. The amendment specifies: (1) procedures for application; (2)…