Based on a meeting of the Legislative Higher Education Study Committee on January 1998, the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges and the Arizona Board of Regents formed a study committee to develop a system for identifying and meeting demonstrated needs statewide in relation to the development of an applied baccalaureate degree program.…

Analyzes recent educational policy changes and resultant dilemmas for educational planners and administrators in Saskatchewan, Canada, within the context of this province's political history and unique features. Presents coping strategies for other planners faced with rapid and radical change. Includes five references. (MLH)

Although school boards are venerable U.S. institutions symbolizing local control and grass-roots determination, they do not work well and never have, despite establishment of superintendencies and privatization efforts. Needed reforms include establishing training and background requirements, banning educational conflicts of interest, strictly…

In trying to insulate school boards from city politics and political parties, early reformers severed board connections with other service providers. Today, worsening conditions for children and their families require "undoing" these reforms and transforming the board's role. Playing a smaller role in some executive, judicial, and…

An effective orientation program helps new board members understand that there is already a functioning board, no member knows everything, open discussion of interpersonal issues is essential, board members must focus on agendas, and the superintendent is the sole administrative contact and conduit to other administrative staff. (MLH)

Recounts a Pennsylvania community's reluctance and eventual approval of a new charter school. Considers political forces from a systems-design perspective; highlights the community involvement process as expressed in public hearings. Discusses reasons for resistance and legislative incentives to overcome it. Makes legislative recommendations. (MLH)

The former state-appointed superintendent of the Paterson District in New Jersey states that, according to law, in the fifth year after a takeover, anyone may run for any vacant seat on the board. Argues that the state should have some type of permanent oversight responsibility when the district is returned to local control. A sidebar reflects a…

In a case involving parents' claims that a Louisiana district's uniform policy violated their children's 14th Amendment right to free speech, Fifth Circuit Judge Robert Parker sided with the school board. The board's legitimate interests in regulating student behavior outweighed students' legitimate interests concerning clothing choices. (MLH)

When 34 Indiana school-board presidents were surveyed regarding their districts' superintendent hiring processes, most were not impressed with candidate quality. Applicants' top weaknesses included insufficient administrative experience, limited communication skills, and inadequate knowledge of school finance. Internal candidates are scarce, and…

School boards are challenged to reconcile differences between test-dominated accountability and the growing backlash against standards and assessments. The answer: a comprehensive accountability system that does not ignore state demands for improved achievement as measured by test scores, but places them in context with classroom practices. (MLH)

Summarizes research reports that discuss students' ignorance about U.S. government, document modest progress toward Goals 2000 objectives, suggest changing and/or limiting school boards' roles, enumerate major societal threats to children, and reveal parents' lack of knowledge about charter schools and vouchers. (MLH)

Research on the use of induction programs and mentors for new teachers found a decrease in length of the job learning curve and an increase in retention. Characteristics of a strong teacher-induction program are highlighted. (Contains six references and lists three Web sites) (PKP)

The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs is a powerful approach to the organization and management of school counseling programs. The ASCA National Model[R] connects school counseling programs to educational reform initiatives, emphasizes data-based management and accountability processes, reiterates school counseling's…

In 1973-74, the school board, faculty, and students in Buena Vista, Virginia, with the support of the Virginia State Board of Education, approved a single-track, four-quarter extended school schedule that provided year-round education at the high school level. This paper presents a review of the literature on year-round education and describes the…

Information about Colorado's second year of progress toward its 1995 educational goals is summarized. Data were based on a review of progress reports submitted to the State Board of Education by individual districts. Progress in addressing each of the state goals and priority objectives is evaluated in the following areas: (1) graduation rate…