The biggest threat to an equitable and prosperous American society is not a particular educational policy, but the gravitational pull of politics, explains Jonathan Collins. Before educational policy can be developed and put into place, the politics that drive education must be acknowledged and addressed. Violence is erupting at school board…

Voter turnout for school board elections is historically low, with tiny percentages deciding who governs schools. Columnist Jonathan E. Collins proposes a new federal holiday, School Board Election Day, to increase voter turnout and public involvement and interest in public schools. School board elections would be held on the same day nationally,…

Title IX coordinators play an essential role in ensuring that schools are free of gender-based harassment and discrimination; however, a recent survey of coordinators in California and Colorado shows that many of them are poorly equipped to do this work. In their study, Elizabeth J. Meyer and Andrea Somoza-Norton found that contact information for…

In this month's interview, Kappan's editor talks with high school English teacher and researcher Lisa Scherff about the ongoing struggle over who gets to define the English language arts curriculum. Dating back to the creation of the subject area, more than a century ago, classroom teachers have advocated for a varied course of study that helps…

Even though the teaching profession is dominated by women, men hold more superintendent positions. The authors examine the pipeline that leads to the principalship and the superintendency and how it has evolved over time. They note school boards are more likely to perceive high school principals and athletic coaches as plausible superintendents,…

Beyond learning how to manage children in a classroom, new teachers also must learn how to manage relationships with the adults in their school. Every new employee must be socialized into membership of their new work organization. In the case of teachers, that's the school and the district. In a study of beginning teachers in Flanders, the…

A school district in western Washington commits to developing physically fit and healthy students, not only as a means of enhancing learning but as a whole child goal in its own right. This is a report on how it does so in partnership with its community, believing that it is only through such a partnership that it can reach its goals. The central…

How educators, school board members, taxpayers, voters, parents, and students design a school calendar, in terms of both process and product, should be a reflection of how we desire to accommodate and conform diverse faiths within our communities. If, according to Dewey, the school is a reflection of society, then what does the inability to…

Chinese and American exchanges introduced a Westchester County school district to a different culture and sharpened their view of their own educational experience. Through the forward thinking of Andy Spano, the county executive, and Daisy Yau, the director of Asian-American affairs and business development for the county, Westchester County had…

A strong superintendent and a strong board and an informed citizenry are the elements for education that can make the difference for our youngsters. (Author/IRT)

The Seattle, Washington school board members attended a retreat during the summer. At the retreat, which included the superintendent and a consultant-facilitator, the board examined the superintendent's self-evaluation and worked on long-range goals, short-term priorities, and professional effectiveness. (IRT)

Describes the system the Bellingham, Washington, schools use to encourage cooperation among the certificated personnel, administrators, and the board of education. (IRT)

Discusses the issues and challenges facing school boards in the current educational reform climate. Summarizes the findings and recommendations resulting from the Institute for Educational Leadership (Washington, DC) national study of local school boards. (MD)

Provides strategies for creating effective partnerships between state and local boards of education. (MD)