A parent advisory committee at Oneida Senior High School (New York) meets to discuss school programs and activities. The result is a solid support group to address problems that arise. (MLF)

Teachers can produce and direct their own instructional videos using computer-driven multimedia. Outlines the basics in combining audio and video technologies to produce videotapes that mix animated and still graphics, sound, and full-motion video. (MLF)

Surveys special needs of handicapped children during emergency situations at school. Identifies seven factors affecting disabled children's response to emergencies, including mobility, hearing, communication, and emotional problems, medication needs, physical vulnerability, and scheduling difficulties. Urges development of sound evacuation plans.…

Peer coaching, teacher input, and focus on teaching improvement are important ingredients in an inservice teacher training program in a Palos Hills, Illinois, school district. Program goals and guidelines for training sessions and peer coaching teams are detailed. (CJH)

A training program used successfully in more that 40 school systems consists of an intensive 5-day workshop involving lectures, role-playing exercises, simulated negotiations, and indepth discussions about bargaining issues. (MLF)

Describes Pasco (Washington) School District's resolution of a recent negotiation impasse in their normal "win/win" collective bargaining process. The key was to reestablish the trust, patience, and willingness to listen that had eroded over the years as new participants replaced old hands in the nonadversarial bargaining process. (MLH)

When done properly, a school newsletter can be a valuable public relations tool. To keep newsletters informative and effective, principals should allow sufficient time, personnel, and funding. Tips are offered as to tone, writing style, readability, format, and involvement of parents and local businesses. (MLH)

In March 1984 volunteer observers followed 141 ninth-grade students in schools throughout the country for a complete school day. The observations are disquieting and show that teacher-student interactions are limited and that instruction is fragmented and dominated by textbook-and-lecture. (MD)

Advises principals to back up their impressions of teachers' performance by using three types of documentation: informal (logging incidents and actions during the school year), formal (classroom observations); and summative (year-end, written evaluations of each teacher's overall performance). Sound instructional leadership requires documentation…

The Moss Point, Mississippi, school district uses a semantic mapping teaching approach called "Writing to Learn" that visually and graphically displays ideas and concepts. Students use computers to work on writing projects, and their achievement scores in the state's reading and writing examinations have increased remarkably. Outlines…

Examines a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Bethel, Washington, school district in disciplining a student for giving a sexually provocative speech. Cautions against a possible trend toward renewed school emphasis on dress codes and other issues of decorum. (IW)