There is a paucity of research about how the policies enacted by states either foster or hinder charter schools' service to disadvantaged students or how the characteristics of charter schools themselves affect this outcome. By combining data from the US Department of Education's Schools and Staffing Survey with data on the characteristics of…

Educators should recognize both the special needs of single-parent students and their parents and be aware of child custody laws and the school's responsibility for a child's safety when parents divorce. Such measures as extended care programs and informal discussion between school staff and parents help ensure equal treatment in the education…

A survey of instructional, administrative, and policy-level personnel who participated in needs assessment studies in 12 Florida school districts revealed several problems in the use of the discrepancy model in needs assessment. Nine of the district studies focused on instructional needs, such as basic skills or early childhood education; two…

After closing a high school in 1983, the Scottsdale, Arizona, Unified School District needed to regain community confidence and support. Assisted by the dean of the Arizona State University College of Education, the school board agreed on four goals: (1) an instructional program that ensures all students will master competencies required for…

The "Journal on State School Systems Development" is an avenue for regularly incorporating into the available educational literature descriptive reports of studies, proposals, and legislative changes related to the legal or governmental structure within which schools are operated. Designed primarily for administrative groups, stdents of…

A special pullout report presents school statistics including teacher and administrator salaries, trends in school construction and bond issues, and how minority students are achieving. State-by-state figures include enrollment, teacher salaries, expenditure per pupil, graduation rates, and standardized test scores. (MLF)

Describes background, goals, methods, and preliminary findings of the PACE-ACE study, which analyzed how California middle schools and high schools have changed in response to state and local pressures for reform. Discusses how those changes occurred. (PS)

Summarizes 10 research projects that competed for the American Association of School Administrators'"Outstanding Research Presentation Award." Topics included early entry to kindergarten, Project SHAL, reading approaches, superintendents and school boards, preferred learning styles, gender bias, teacher evaluation, administrators' brain…

Cites court cases where school boards presented evidence that a teacher's lifestyle or conduct provided grounds for dismissal. (HOD)

Analysis of the joint submission of Scholastic Aptitude Test scores by 10,704 high school seniors shows that relatively few colleges compete with each other in local student markets. This suggests that state and institutional policies for adapting to demographically induced enrollment declines will be severely constrained by the competitive…

Tabular results of an annual national survey of state aid to higher education are given, reporting appropriations by state and institution, and ranking the states on seven scales, including per capita appropriation. (MSE)

The School Health Education Profiles monitor characteristics of health education in secondary schools nationwide, using school-based surveys conducted by state and local education agencies. This report summarizes results from 35 state surveys and 13 local surveys conducted among representative samples of school principals and lead health education…

Addressing rural school leaders, this article suggests solutions to six common problems regarding curriculum development in small schools: past neglect of comprehensive curriculum studies and resultant teacher apathy; teacher turnover; limited number of teachers per grade or subject area; inadequate time for curriculum work; inadequate financing;…

Applies some federal legislation and court opinions relative to citizenship and constitutional rights to Native American education policies and practices, particularly those affecting the Navajo. Contends that the Bureau of Indian Affairs policy of allowing school board members to serve only as advisors abridges the constitutional rights of Native…

Compares two board members' educational philosophies and motivations, highlighting typical power struggles with patrons, teachers, and administrators. Both board members hold traditional educational values and a "back to basics" approach to curriculum development. Whereas Tom considers his unwillingness to compromise a positive…