School board members and administrators are charged with educating a student body that is more diverse than any generation before them. However, top leadership positions remain mostly white and mostly male. Charts display the race and gender of administrators and board members by size of school district. (MLF)

Homelessness is a growing problem in every part of the United States. Federal legislation requires state plans for educating homeless children, but will provide less than $23 per child. Summarizes some of the state plans and suggests steps school boards can take to provide homeless children with public education. (MLF)

Budgeting trends that will occupy the attention of school boards in the coming years include: (1) learning to do without; (2) streamlining the number of administrators; (3) repairing aging school infrastructures; (4) responding to changes in demographics; and (5) removing environmental hazards. (MLF)

It looks as if the U.S. might be in for a small but significant (for schools) rise in birth rates. (Author)

Cites statistics (illustrated in charts) that show overwhelming evidence that the status of children in the United States is threatened by social and economic forces including a changing family structure. Child advocacy groups recommend school-based services to help minimize adverse situations for children. (MLF)

This special section outlines recent trends, including U.S. population projections (highlighting growth in aging and minority groups), public opinion about schools and school choice, accountability concerns, achievement scores, technology access, early childhood issues, and state and regional statistics on finance, school characteristics, and…

From a random sample of 4,441 board members, 1,482 (33 percent) responded to a survey. Women board members are more interested in curriculum than finance and expect to be more involved in school system decision making. Respondents' demographic characteristics and areas of concerns are shown in region-by-region charts. (MLF)

Analysis of problems faced by school systems with surplus schools due to declining enrollment has led to this list of suggestions on achieving flexibility in new building construction. (WD)

Presents a state-by-state report of vital school statistics in the following categories: per-pupil expenditures; average teacher salaries; federal, state, and local funding percentages; per capita income; poverty percentages; pupil-teacher ratios; enrollment; minority characteristics; and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. Contains six charts that…