When big businesses enter into mandatory arbitration agreements with consumers, the large companies typically tout the fairness while the individual is left feeling cheated. Now that mandatory arbitration clauses are finding their way into more and more contracts signed by school systems, school boards and district administrators are realizing…

Bashing public schools seems to be in vogue these days. Admittedly, some of the bashing is well deserved: inappropriate teacher-student relationships, cheating on standardized tests, embezzlement, and other illegal acts. The reality is that education is a people business and when an individual deals with as many people as educators and…

Nationally, rural students represent about a quarter of all students attending public school; nearly a third of all schools are located in rural areas. Those rural schools and students have a number of unique characteristics and needs. For example, the smaller size of many rural schools and districts can sometimes lead to per-pupil expenditures…

These are challenging times for schools across the United States and Canada, and the ability of those providing the fiscal leadership of these multi-million dollar organizations has never been more critical. There is no better time to identify the specific skills and knowledge needed by those managing the business operations of schools today, and…

The vast majority of business and education partnerships focus on improving student outcomes through direct or indirect engagement at the classroom or individual student level. However, there are other opportunities for engaging the business community, and for those willing to think outside the classroom, the rewards can be quite remarkable. One…

Competitive bids and the bid-opening process are the cornerstones of public school purchasing. The bid-opening process does not begin on the day of the bid opening. It begins with good planning by the purchasing agent to ensure that the advertised bid complies with the public school contracts law. In New Jersey, that raises the following…

During the past 20 years, afterschool programs have become an increasingly vital part of most American communities. Today, some 6.5 million children across the nation participate in these programs. Another 15 million children would participate if a program were available to them, according to their parents. These numbers tell at least two…

The Wells Fargo Gamefield Program grants can help reverse the downward trend in the health of American youth. Used from the elementary through the college levels, the program can bring fitness for life to communities. (MLF)

The needed cooperation between industry and education means schools should recognize industry's central role in the partnership process to help schools improve academic and vocational education. Cooperation will involve planning, training, reevaluation of resource allocation, and financial investment. (CJH)

Describes process of establishing effective partnerships with businesses and foundations to raise money and resources for schools. Includes how to get started, making contact with potential partners, planning an event, materials for prospective partners, gaining partners' commitment, and keeping the commitment. (PKP)

The three major players in the current efforts to privatize schools are the following companies: Education Alternatives, Inc., the Edison Project, and Public Strategies Group Inc. Explanations of their programs include core competencies, economic capability, technological capability, and strategic capability. (MLF)

A cooperative program between the Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) at the University of Arizona and the NCR Corporation has resulted in laboratories used for instruction in basic MIS courses, research, and executive training. (MLF)

Our corporate society has produced an educational marketplace that forces public schools to compete merely to survive. Brevard County Schools (Florida) have allowed their constituents freedom of choice for over 20 years. The payoff: only 4.7 percent of Brevard County students attend private schools, compared with a national figure of 10.5 percent.…

School business partnerships can help school districts meet financial challenges and public demands for reform. To succeed, both parties must feel that they are benefiting from the relationship. Possible political collaboration and corporate donations are among the benefits for schools. (MLF)

An energy service contract offered to educational institutions by a commercial company guarantees a specific reduction in energy consumption over a stated term of years. The company pays for equipment upgrading, staff training, repairs, a maintenance program, and capital improvements. (MLF)