This booklet is one of a series of reports addressing the most critical issues confronting state boards of education throughout the United States. Each report attempts to present a concise, informative review and analysis of the best and most current information available on one of these critical topics. This booklet focuses on the educational…

The right way to create a district budget is for the board of education to get involved in the budget process before it starts and to shape all the work that is done on it by making sure goals and limits are understood. (Author/IRT)

School boards should make no changes in the curriculum without first establishing a plan for communicating with the community. That plan should begin with board policy. (Author/IRT)

The author recounts his experiences in the textbook adoption process during his tenure on the California State Board of Education from 1975 to 1981. The focus on legal criteria (such as the reflection of cultural or racial diversity or print and page size), he argues, too often overrides concern with quality of the books' contents. (GC)

Outlines a step-by-step approach to a school system formalized planning process and the role of board of education members. (MLF)

This study reviews research on the defeat of incumbent school board members and presents new election data on 104 southern California school districts. The findings confirm that incumbent defeat is episodic, but they challenge previous research regarding its nature and origins. (Author)

Though the public believes that urban school boards should handle problems with failing schools, urban school boards spend very little time considering ways to turn such schools around or transforming the educational experiences of at-risk students. Today's school board members are expected to be interest representatives, trustees for children,…

School board members have long recognized the importance of involving parents and the community in the public schools. Yet, there has never been a greater gap between school and community, partly because almost 70 percent of adults do not have any school-age children, and partly because the public seems to want a far more active relationship with…

This book provides guidance for school-board members who wish to enhance their effectiveness. It is structured around two central questions: What does an effective school board look like? and How can a board, with the support of its superintendent and community, become more effective? Part 1 describes the issues facing school boards and the major…

Examines the objectives and functions of school maintenance and presents an organizational chart for a school district maintenance department. Asserts that programed maintenance'' and the utilization of data processing techniques are not to be regarded as luxury budget items. (WM)

Tells why reformers are out to ban the ancient custom of corporal punishment in the schools. Suggests that school boards should scrutinize their policies on discipline now, before potential storms of controversy break out in their communities. (Author)

Presents pre-convention highlights of the 1970 meeting of National School Boards Association members, scheduled April 11-14 in San Francisco. (MK)

Being cooperative and reasonably straightforward in helping the media cover school news will help in getting well-informed, balanced coverage. Specific advice is offered, including suggestions on how to be more effective during news conferences and interviews. (MLF)

Suggests that school boards use lawyers both as general counsel for day-to-day advice and as special attorneys to handle litigation. Presents guidelines on attorney hiring and discusses attorney characteristics, meeting attendance, law firm size, fee schedules, communications with the board, and courtroom experience. (RW)