When San Francisco implemented a new policy to improve graduation rates and college enrollment, district officials realized their work was only beginning. San Francisco Unified School District revamped its college-ready graduation policy in 2009, hoping to increase the likelihood that students would graduate with the necessary courses to go to a…

"It's demoralizing to see your life's work pilloried almost daily in the news." This comment is typical of the anger and disappointment expressed by many of the more than 2,300 Chicago teachers surveyed by Deborah Lynch in 2011-2012. Lynch set out to explore how the accountability policies pursued by Chicago's board of…

Boards of education should have a policy regarding censorship. It should provide for community involvement, a constructive exchange of views, and an appeal process. (Author/MLF)

Describes school-district compliance requirements for two recently enacted federal laws designed to protect children from obscene, pornographic, or harmful materials available on the Internet: Children's Internet Protection Act and Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act. District eligibility for federal funds, including the E-rate…

Describes disparity in teacher supply (shortages versus surpluses) among states, school districts, and teaching fields. Discusses reasons for these disparities and describes some successful and unsuccessful strategies and policy reforms to recruit more qualified teachers. (Contains 21 references.) (PKP)

The Executive Director, Education, for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, describes several shortcomings of large comprehensive high schools. Argues that small schools, be they public, private, or charter, offer a viable alternative to the problems of large schools if they have right essentials such as strong leadership and autonomy.…

With parent and community input, the school board can develop policies that will prevent unnecessary conflicts and help resolve others involving controversial issues in the curriculum. (Author/DCS)

Students will learn more if local school boards set priorities, use test scores sensibly, and hold educators accountable. (Author)

Suggests eight ways in which boards of education can select successful negotiating teams. (DS)

Describes legal standard of reasonable suspicion for school officials to conduct student searches in public schools and court cases interpreting that standard. Discusses probable-cause standard for student searches by law-enforcement officials, voluntary student searches, and individual versus random searches. Recommends two practices to reduce…

Nowadays, teacher and administrator evaluations are being linked to retention and dismissal suggestions. School districts should involve teachers and administrators in developing a fair system of evaluation, carry it out as planned, and make sure it is visible and accepted. (Author/JM)

Since court rulings vary, the legal status of academic freedom in the classroom varies geographically. Teachers must use caution in asserting absolute freedom concerning classroom activities, and schools must develop sound curriculum policies and carefully document infractions. (Author/JM)

A national survey reveals that, although selection and review procedures can help when school materials are challenged, there is no substitute for good community relations in reducing those challenges in the first place. (Author/JM)