Suggests eight ways in which boards of education can select successful negotiating teams. (DS)

A survey of 57 Minnesota school districts about participants in district curriculum decisionmaking reveals a heavy involvement by principals in both curriculum coordination and development. Teachers are less involved in coordination than in the development process. Community members are almost totally excluded, and students are excluded.…

Describes seven school downsizing models adopted by school districts in several states to create small schools and schools-within-schools, including inadequacy of "policy by exception." Discusses policy-related challenges of schools-within-schools and small schools. Argues that state and school district policies and structures need to support, not…

Describes legal standard of reasonable suspicion for school officials to conduct student searches in public schools and court cases interpreting that standard. Discusses probable-cause standard for student searches by law-enforcement officials, voluntary student searches, and individual versus random searches. Recommends two practices to reduce…

Explains the steps the Portland (Oregon) public schools used to cut expenditures. Crucial ingredients of the program were citizen input, precise impact statements, and clear distinction among funds for instruction, support, and management. (Author/JM)

Reviews results from a national survey of curriculum development practices. Most school districts prefer homegrown teacher-developed curriculums, but local control requires expensive long-term teacher participation in conflict with budget conscious school boards' need to maintain cost controls. Includes sample survey questionnaire, four tables,…

Nowadays, teacher and administrator evaluations are being linked to retention and dismissal suggestions. School districts should involve teachers and administrators in developing a fair system of evaluation, carry it out as planned, and make sure it is visible and accepted. (Author/JM)

The History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools, recently adopted by the California State Board of Education, focuses on three main goals: knowledge and cultural understanding, democratic understanding and civic values, and skills attainment and social participation. (TE)

A national survey reveals that, although selection and review procedures can help when school materials are challenged, there is no substitute for good community relations in reducing those challenges in the first place. (Author/JM)

Benchmarks are designed to demystify educational goals and illuminate the nature of good performance for teachers, students, and parents. Since 1987, the Toronto Board of Education has developed over 100 language and mathematics benchmarks at grades 3, 6, and 8, combining observation with holistic evaluation. Instruction, learning, and evaluation…

Restructuring is changing the system of rules, roles, and relationships that govern the use of time, people, space, knowledge, and technology. The teacher's new role is inventing engaging work. The school board's role is educating the community about school conditions. The superintendent's role is influencing stakeholder decision making. Without…