The issue of school safety is of paramount concern but what is lacking is clarity on the best course of action aimed at bolstering safety in public schools. We sought to answer the following research questions: What topics are addressed in school board policies related to arming employees? What outlying policy topics are addressed in school board…

The increasing need for highly-skilled employees in the workplace has policymakers and higher education leaders focused on innovative ways for students to access postsecondary education. These access points can include online programs, prior learning assessments and, the subject of this snapshot, competency-based education. The National Center for…

This article presents a critical discourse analysis of "no promo homo" policies and their effects in US schools. "No promo homo"--short for "no promotion of homosexuality" (Eskridge, 2000, p. 1329)--polices have been adopted across nine states and several local school districts in the United States. They direct…

Oklahoma's Student Data Accessibility, Transparency, and Accountability Act (known as the Student DATA Act) arose just as privacy concerns about student data were beginning to surface. According to Linnette Attai, founder of education technology compliance consultancy PlayWell LLC, "When this climate of data privacy first emerged in its…

Purpose: This article examines factors that affect school board policy making about student diversity within two southern urban-suburban school districts experiencing changing demographics: Jefferson County Public Schools and the Wake County Public School System. Both districts have a history of voluntary integration efforts, and research shows…

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) follows education budgets and legislation during regular and special legislative sessions. Current actions are found in Legislative Reports that are released on a timely basis during the months that SREB state legislatures are in session, usually from January through July. These reports follow education…

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) follows education budgets and legislation during regular and special legislative sessions. Current actions are found in Legislative Reports that are released on a timely basis during the months that SREB state legislatures are in session, usually from January through July. These reports follow education…

Examines impact of Supreme Court's 2002 decision in "Board of Education v. Earls" on high school random drug-testing policies and practices. Court held that random drug-testing policy at Tecumseh, Oklahoma, school district did not violate students' Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches. (Contains 46 references.) (PKP)

Analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in "Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls," wherein the Court held that random drug testing of students taking part in extracurricular activities is constitutional. (PKP)

Beginning with brief descriptions of the statutory duties of school board presidents and clerks, as well as of boards and administrators in teacher hearing procedures, this handbook is intended to serve as a guide for administrators, local board presidents, clerks, and secretaries in recording board of education meetings. Following chapter 1's…

Policy changes in state higher education since the early 1980s are described. For each innovation, the problem and impetus for change are described, as well as the results. Contact persons and some publications are identified. While two states addressed both quality and flexibility in fiscal reform, 13 states had incremental reforms addressing…

This is not a lawbook, but rather an indepth discussion of specific areas of concern to Oklahoma educators. It is composed of information based on the author's experience as Chief Counsel for the Oklahoma State School Boards Association and for the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators as well as on case law, legal opinions, statutes, and…

This book represents the author's third effort to bring school districts and their appropriate personnel up-to-date in volume form as to legislation, rules and regulations, statutes, (both state and federal), and the applicable interpretations based on court decisions. Selected areas of concern are discussed, and the Oklahoma Statute Citation…

This guide is intended to acquaint administrators and teachers with legal requirements for staff evaluation and recent changes in Oklahoma teacher dismissal law. A State Board of Education policy statement and a glossary of legal terms follow the statutory description and explication of the intent of Senate Bill No. 249 and Senate Bill No. 308.…

An outline of the newly revised standards for state approved teacher education programs in Oklahoma sets forth regulations and requirements on: (1) initiations of new certification programs; (2) five-year evaluation for re-accreditation; and (3) specific standards for approved teacher education programs. Specifically, for both new certification…