A description of Iowa's new accounting procedure that has the capability to accommodate the smallest as well as the largest schools in the state. (Author/MLF)

Describes implementation of Arizona's performance-based pay initiative wherein many districts use a combination of teaching skills and student achievement to determine teacher performance. (Contains 10 references.) (PKP)

Describes role of school business officials in complying with No Child Left Behind Act's mandated use of school and student data. Includes data mining for educators and information technology solutions. (PKP)

Describes Total Quality Management (TQM) techniques implemented at Waukesha County Technical College (Wisconsin). The CAUSES program focuses on customers, accountability, understanding, self-improvement, education, and searching. Describes application of TQM to the fixed-asset team project. Four figures are included. (LMI)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission's "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" stands as the industry's reference tool and is a primary source for measuring liability in accident claims. Today's playground accidents are usually caused by poor maintenance, antiquated design, or layout problems. A series of tests are available for…

Developing a blueprint for success requires that teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members focus on the purposes for investing in technology. Planners must define universally shared technology goals, establish program accountability measures, budget for staff development, and ensure district leadership and support for…

Accurate transactional financial data are necessary for governmental compliance; transformational information is crucial for measuring and improving school performance. Some districts are shifting from a systems to a service, focus, from partial to full-cost accounting, from centralized to decentralized reporting procedures and facilities, and…

Before selecting an architect, a school district should formulate clear expectations regarding the extent of the architect's services and responsibilities. One standard contract often proposed by architects is a document developed by the American Institute of Architects. Points out the shortcomings of this contract to a school district's interests…

Describes the process of performance measurement: What is being measured, how it may be affected by factors (such as parent involvement) beyond the school's control, what measures of performance might be appropriate, and what directions research might take that will increase knowledge of those things that affect (or drive) the learning process.…

Explains the complexities of the process involved in obtaining payment on a forfeited bidding contract and the exceptions to the general rule on forfeiture for contract bids. Includes discussion of court litigation on the topic. (MD)

The use of the management team approach by school business officials will result in increased operational efficiency, greater accountability, better decisions, less crisis management, reduced stress, and increased job satisfaction. (MLF)

Discusses impact of the scientifically based research and student-performance data requirements in No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on elementary and secondary schools. Describes potential consequences for school administrators, teachers, and parents. (PKP)

Describes the Association of School Business Officials' (ASBO's) Certificate of Excellence for Financial Reporting review process for school district accounting and financial reporting. Describes the Self-Evaluation Worksheet revision, the panel of review members' guide, and highlights of program year 1994. Two figures are included. (LMI)

When Governor Roy Romer challenged Colorado's 20 largest districts to undergo performance audits, 12 responded. Consultants recommended that districts provide more market-sensitive salaries, privatize certain functions, cross-train personnel, and create job flexibility. Districts can improve overall efficiency by generating accurate operational…

Student transportation complexities make evaluating a program's cost and quality very difficult. The first step in measuring performance is defining an operation's functional components: level of service delivery, units of service, and cost of services. Other considerations include routing, logistics, and fleet maintenance and support operations.…