District wide efforts have been made toward developing a comprehension plan of program evaluation for all special education classes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The proposed evaluation plan encompasses both instructional effectiveness and administrative issues. For the 1980-81 school year, instructional evaluation was directed toward academic…

The central purpose of this paper is to describe the origins, assumptions, approaches, and problems of the major evaluation efforts relating to vocational education specified in the Educational Amendments of 1976. The first of five chapters provides background information on vocational education, evaluation, and the Education Amendments of 1976.…

Centralization, coordinated bargaining, and multi-unit representation are not the inevitable consequences of changes in school finance. Rather, bargaining structure continues to be a result of a complex interaction that includes many factors. (Author)

The "Pico v. Island Trees Union Free School District" decision affirmed students' right to receive information under the First Amendment and concluded that removing books from school libraries infringes on that right. Book removals solely to suppress ideas are open to court review in the absence of clearly established administrative…

Evaluates the role of monitoring offices in school desegregation by focusing on the federally funded office in Cleveleand, Ohio. Asserts that its activities generated a sizable public information program, influence community attitudes, and triggered a large-scale reorganization of the Cleveland school system. (KH)

Examines the evoluation of proportional representation and its applicability to school districts, citing relevant court decisions. Recommends single-member districts and outlines a method for apportioning them. (MCG)

This paper argues that political conflict over educational policy at the local level is cultural in its origins and represents a deep division in U.S. society about the values that should be taught in the public schools. The research reported in the paper focused on a single case study of a recall election in the Orange Unified School District…

Iowa's four-year experience with "tri-offer" final offer arbitration in teacher-school board negotiations--in which an arbitrator chooses among the teachers', the board's, and the factfinder's offers--shows that the process encourages voluntary settlements but does not keep the two sides from taking unrealistic bargaining positions. (RW)

In the late 1980s, radical administrative changes (setting up boards of trustees and relaxing zoning restrictions) were undertaken in New Zealand's education system to make schools more responsive to their communities. This paper describes the consequences of implementing these policies, using evidence from a study of a particular high school.…

New superintendents should realize their school boards will not shatter the community's "psychic salary ceiling." In today's impecunious, politically charged atmosphere, boards often post a smaller salary up front and "hide" remuneration in benefits and deferred compensation. Superintendents must beware low-range salary offers…

Conceptions of effective teaching held across various school organization roles (teacher, principal, and board member) are explored, and their implications for teacher evaluation policy are discussed. Data suggest that views of these roles vary in complexity and focus and that successful evaluation requires attention to these views and political…

Thirty school administrators attended board meetings throughout eastern Pennsylvania and found an astounding variety in the quality of the meetings. Common-sense recommendations include paying attention to the stage, following a script, keeping the cast in mind, and handling the press properly. (MLF)

Examines how control and administrative responsibility is divided, in practice, between the headteacher and the governors, and whether such responsibilities are agreed upon or disputed. Discusses a study of 21 British schools that examines this issue. When there is agreement about roles, a stable situation exists. Where there is no agreement,…

Religious fundamentalists are joining forces with taxpayers, senior citizens, and other conservatives to win seats on local and state school boards and reshape educational policy. School board elections offer an easy entry to politics. Christian fundamentalists target multicultural curricula, independent thinking activities, sex and AIDS…

Discusses the particular need of high schools to develop Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) policies. Discusses the prevalence and risk of HIV in the adolescent population and the legal implications of policies. Describes and evaluates various policies of Illinois public high schools. Concludes with a…