School districts with successful teacher evaluation programs all treat evaluation as a major district responsibility, allocate considerable resources to evaluation, carry out the programs as planned, keep administrators and teachers well informed about the plan, develop methods for ensuring the competence of evaluators, and use the evaluation…

One of a series dealing with current issues affecting language arts instruction, this paper brings into focus some of the issues surrounding textbooks in the schools so that informed decisions can be made regarding textbook selection and use. The major portion of the paper explores professional opinions regarding textbooks, noting the following:…

The document stresses that planning is essential to introduce arts programs into the schools and provides suggestions for the planning process. Elements of a good planning process include clearly stated goals and objectives, efficient use of existing resources, a survey of local conditions, involvement of influential school officials and community…

This document provides a sampling of financial resources for fine arts programs in the schools and lists methods for submitting proposals and dealing with sponsors of funds. Financial sources for arts programs include school districts, organizations and institutions, special events, direct mail, individuals, associations and clubs, businesses and…

This bulletin describes a set of general guidelines for developing contingency plans that prepare school systems to cope with expected and unexpected disruptions in the educational process. Typically, contingency plans are prepared to anticipate consequences of school desegregation, natural disasters, bomb threats, or mass demonstrations. The…

This American School and University supplement theme issue provides information from experts in the security industry concerning school violence and its prevention. Articles address the lessons learned from recent school shootings that may help reduce future occurrences, the need for a greater adherence to order in schools to set the stage for a…

This supplement summarizes the National Commission on Excellence in Education's final report "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform" and offers guidelines for citizens interested in forming their own commission on excellence. Resource organizations and publications for local commissions are listed. Theses and recommendations of…

Updating a similar booklet published in 1975, this guide is written to assist local school districts in organizing their energy conservation efforts to maintain vital services and programs and to provide the healthful, safe, and comfortable physical environment necessary for schools. Topics covered include the composition of the district energy…

Funding for school safety projects is often difficult to find. This bulletin discusses appropriate federal agencies where funding for school safety projects may be available, tips on writing a proposal, a contact list for education funding sources, and information resources. (Author/MLF)

This bulletin has been designed to provide assistance to boards of education, school administrators, teachers, and architects in planning various types of greenhouses and related facilities. Topics discussed include the numerous uses of greenhouses, ideas on design and construction, the growing demand for primary and supporting facilities,…

The parent-teacher conference is a valuable strategy to improve a student's performance. This news brief offers suggestions for developing a "parent friendly" handbook to help parents effectively prepare for teacher-parent conferences. The handbook should include the basic information, a statement that emphasizes the importance of the conference,…

This newsletter defines common law negligence, discusses recent trends in common law negligence, cites litigation, and establishes guidelines to assist school administrators in the avoidance of such tort action. The success or failure of a negligence suit most commonly turns on one of three factors: duty, breach of that duty, and proximate cause…

Drawings, accompanied by text and recommended measurements, illustrate school building requirements necessary for handicapped persons to enter, leave, and circulate in buildings without assistance. The information is intended to be used in the design of new buildings and the remodeling of existing facilities. General design information covers the…

One of a series dealing with current issues affecting language arts instruction, this paper focuses on spelling. The paper begins with the observation that when people complain that students cannot write, too often they mean that when the students do write, they misspell a few words. After noting that spelling improvement comes from using words in…

One of a series dealing with current issues affecting language arts instruction, this paper focuses on writing evaluations. The paper begins by noting that any practical discussion of the evaluation of writing must address the question of how to obtain reliable, informative judgments about students' writing. The paper then discusses the purposes…