Public schools in America are often at the center of controversy over conflicting values and interests. This paper explores three areas of conflict that surfaced in a Virginia community as it shifted from an appointed to an elected school board. The first section explores the three areas of conflict: (1) conflict over what is taught in school; (2)…

In 1974 the Virginia General Assembly adopted a senate resolution directing the state board of education to study laws preventing youths from choosing alternatives to compulsory school attendance. The board appointed a committee that studied the matter and made recommendations concerning the development of graduation requirements reflecting…

Serving about 1,300 youths and including three time options and approximately 40 programs, school-age child care works in Fairfax County, Virginia. A contract between the county government and the school board clearly states each party's roles and responsibilities. The county assumes responsibility for all administrative and staffing functions,…

In addition to the external pressures for a change in the school year, there are also pressures within the field of education that year-round schools may alleviate. In the 1960's, Prince William County faced the serious problem of rapid population growth, and today the school population continues to increase. In 1970, after considering alternative…

A political struggle has developed in Virginia between its state superintendent of public instruction and the educational community. The primary disagreement is in the area of teacher certification, although admission requirements to teacher education programs are also disputed. The Teacher Education Advisory Committee (TEAC), composed of…