The Connick vs. Myers Supreme Court decision regarding public employees' right to express themselves has been applied to public schools in two recent federal court cases. The rulings suggest school boards may discipline school employees for disputes over internal office matters but must tolerate their dissent over public matters. (DCS)

Lists several fears and behaviors that may result when a student with deeply internalized values is faced with ideas that conflict with present attitudes. In a separate section, suggests that teachers record their comments about student papers as a means of providing personalized feedback. (AYC)

In a question-and-answer format, campus alumni magazine editors comment on the value of a letters column, specific policies concerning what is printed, handling of controversial letters, and methods for eliciting strong reader response. (MSE)

"Alinsky methods," designed for confrontation, can include packing meetings, requesting marathon sessions, and using dramatic advertising. Developed by Saul Alinsky for oppressed people, the methods can be mitigated by 10 administrator actions, including building openness and trust, having good legal and public relations advice, and…

A fundamental aid in maintaining equilibrium is establishing a policy of providing the opportunity for the study of controversial issues, rather than teaching the issues per se. Other tips for managing controversy include anticipating controversy and criticism and establishing procedures for processing issues. (MJL)

Provides an outline of policy to follow when school boards must make negative decisions and say no to parents or special interest groups. Includes nine tips that school board members should remember during meetings. (MD)

Drawing on the experience of public schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this document details a planning model and process of middle level reorganization. Following an examination of the impetus for change and how recent changes in the nation's economy, demographics, and family structure have shaped the context for educational change, collaborative…

This training manual provides materials for conducting a workshop on problem solving and creating good agreements in special education. The first section of the manual provides a brief introduction to the world of special education and discusses why special education law is complex. Section 2 explores why conflict is created, seven types of…

Recognizing that global education did not speak with one voice, that global educators could not even always find ways to speak to each other, and that this internal situation made it very confusing for those outside the field, the conference planners brought together a group of global educators to discuss what assumptions and beliefs should…