Policy analysis is the process by which systematically collected information is provided to decision makers. As an integral part of a specific policy setting process and a comprehensive planned change process, such analyses can provide school administrators with much needed information to guide their decisions concerning district-wide…

The use of indicators as tools for educational improvement is discussed. National indicators are limited in breadth and depth and are neither sensitive to differences across states nor detailed and specific enough to be useful to states. For indicators to contribute to the goals of local educational improvement, local agencies must define their…

This digest discusses the issue of school-based management (SBM), defined as a system of administration in which the school is the primary unit of educational decision making. Responsibility for certain decisions about the budget, personnel, and the curriculum is placed at the school level rather than the district level. Several aspects of SBM are…

The program review process in Kansas Regent's institutions was studied, based on Guba's three policy types: policy-in-intention (statements about policy); policy-in-implementation (behaviors/activities found in the process of implementing policy); and policy-in-experience (constructions/perceptions of individuals as they experienced the policy…

This report describes the design of an implementation evaluation of the Massachusetts Basic Skills Improvement Policy, to be conducted during 1982-83. The Policy and Regulations were enacted in 1978-79 when school districts were required to develop basic skills improvement plans. In 1980-81 districts were required to implement their plans.…

To help ameliorate the adverse effects of reduction in force (RIF), school districts facing declining enrollments should develop and adopt RIF policies before they are needed. School district officials should compile up-to-date enrollment projections and anticipated staff needs. The board of education should take care to inform the public and to…

Personal interviews with teachers, administrators, and counselors in grades 1-6 at two elementary schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) examined their attitudes toward two sets of DCPS guidelines governing student promotion and retention. One set of guidelines was in use before 1976, the other afterwards. Questionnaires…

To help South Carolina school officials, a task force prepared this handbook for establishing criteria and procedures for evaluating administrator performance. The guidebook's first section notes the purposes of the publication and discusses states' and administrator associations' positions on administrator evaluation, the legal basis for…

This document presents an overview of issues concerning the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments in education, the impact of Office of Civil Rights' (OCR) rulings on educational policy-making in New York City, and views held by various individuals towards the impact of such rulings on local policy-making in education. Michael…

This annotated bibliography grew out of the need to extract information and opinion about educational policy-making boards in rural areas from the mass of governing board literature, since rural education institutions have distinct differences from urban ones in terms of financial support, student numbers, isolation, and resources. Annotated…

The objectives of this study were to assist the Kansas City School District in the formulation of policy on the consolidation and closing of schools, development of objective criteria to aid decision-making on these issues, and specification of procedures for the implementing of such policy and policy decisions. The decision model developed had…

The Community College Legislative Council was organized in 1971 to provide a means through which a uniform approach to the state legislature and legislation could be achieved by the various organizations representing components of the community college system. For each session of the legislature, the council prepares a United Legislative Program.…

Public policymaking issues, equality in education, political democracy, organizational efficiency, and citizen participation in urban schools are discussed. Because of the growing concern about policymaking arrangements for inner city schools, a longitudinal study was conducted from 1967-1970 in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Columbus, and…

This report provides board policy samples and other policy resources on student rights and responsibilities. The intent in providing policy samples is to encourage thinking in policy terms and to provide working papers that can be edited, modified, or adapted to meet local requirements. Topics covered in the samples include (1) freedom of…

This report indicates to principals that their schools probably have a marihuana problem; outlines measures necessary to the establishment of an effective marihuana prevention program; and suggests ways to handle the marihuana smoker once he has been identified. To help the principal focus upon, understand, and take constructive action with…