When San Francisco implemented a new policy to improve graduation rates and college enrollment, district officials realized their work was only beginning. San Francisco Unified School District revamped its college-ready graduation policy in 2009, hoping to increase the likelihood that students would graduate with the necessary courses to go to a…

"It's demoralizing to see your life's work pilloried almost daily in the news." This comment is typical of the anger and disappointment expressed by many of the more than 2,300 Chicago teachers surveyed by Deborah Lynch in 2011-2012. Lynch set out to explore how the accountability policies pursued by Chicago's board of…

The author, who has served as a school board member and district superintendent, advocates that school districts use an academic return on investment approach to evaluate and make decisions about spending, specifically in special education. This approach requires that schools formally evaluate all programs, efforts, and strategies by multiple…

Discusses the political aspects of educational policy formation and describes the governance of public education in the state of New York. (JG)

A school board member describes how the actions of legislators, judges, and lay groups are draining control from the local level. (Author)

Since court rulings vary, the legal status of academic freedom in the classroom varies geographically. Teachers must use caution in asserting absolute freedom concerning classroom activities, and schools must develop sound curriculum policies and carefully document infractions. (Author/JM)

The superintendent of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, school district discusses the school improvement plan he has implemented in the Pittsburgh schools since 1981. (MD)

A veteran school board member and survivor of numerous restructuring efforts recounts the Leon County (Florida) School District's experience with strategic planning. Although the process was at time chaotic, Roger Kaufman's planning model helped the board create a climate for change and develop a definitive vision and realistic action plan. (MLH)

Texas has goals, guidelines, and policies to help school districts develop citizenship education programs. (Author)

Boards of education should have a policy regarding censorship. It should provide for community involvement, a constructive exchange of views, and an appeal process. (Author/MLF)

In 1995, the Virginia Board of Education adopted sweeping new Standards of Learning (SOL) outlining minimally accepted K-12 academic-achievement goals. The program has four components: high academic standards, tests to measure student progress, accreditation measures to ensure accountability for student achievement, and annual school-performance…

According to Robert L. Simonds, president and founder of the National Association of Christian Educators, public education is a stronghold of the devil that promulgates atheism and immorality. The key to controlling education is to establish Christian Parents' Committees in all 15,700 school districts across the U.S. and elect members to local…

Describes common principal-leadership characteristics of exemplary schools, schools that successfully implemented and sustained major school reforms. (PKP)

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which components were considered of importance in negotiating contracts for teachers. (Author/RK)

Describes school-district compliance requirements for two recently enacted federal laws designed to protect children from obscene, pornographic, or harmful materials available on the Internet: Children's Internet Protection Act and Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act. District eligibility for federal funds, including the E-rate…