The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted schools across the country, negatively impacting student learning, especially for students of color and students experiencing poverty. These students need our support; in the absence of successful COVID catch-up activities, the likelihood is that they will face future obstacles to success in college and the…

Two proposals in the bill currently circulating to reauthorize No Child Left Behind seem to be shoe-ins for making their way into federal law. The impetus behind both proposals is to help poor kids by making sure that districts spend as much money on them as gets spent on rich kids. Going against the grain, the National Council on Teacher Quality…

Studies of the relationship between increased spending for education and student achievement have failed to take into account teacher knowledge and ability. The authors' study showed wide variation within schools and concluded that research on the effects of schooling is weakened by concentrating on entire schools and school systems. (Author/WD)

The purchasing professional's role involves the development of purchasing-program strategies that include the following: (1) product research and evaluation; (2) supplier sourcing; (3) procurement and pricing alternatives; (4) contract administration; (5) systems design and administration; and (6) strategic planning. (MLF)

Punitive damages are almost commonplace with multimillion dollar awards occurring monthly. Survey responses from 190 secondary school principals and 290 school attorneys indicate that schools have a serious problem. Concerns about liability and its costs have caused a change in school programs. Lists four tort reform measures that would be helpful…

Outlines a number of categories for a school district to review when designing an effective plan for program reductions in the face of budgetary cutbacks. (FL)

Discusses problems in establishing teacher cost indices on which to base adjustments in state educational aid. Presents 1973-1980 data on differentials in teacher salaries and revenue potentials among Florida school districts to show that salary differences between districts can change rapidly. (RW)

It is an advantage to a school system to contract for its school bus service. Financially, private companies can obtain capital easier than can public agencies. A school system that uses good management and monitors the contractor with clear specifications can be assured of safety and efficiency. (MLF)

Describes the radical change in the way the states of Michigan and California finance their educational systems. Looks at advantages and disadvantages of those changes. (JOW)

Secondary school forensic programs have long been under pressure from a variety of sources who question the educational value of such activities. Three relatively new issues will affect the growth and development of these programs: the "back to basics" movement, the spending ceilings imposed in local school districts by state legislatures, and the…

The Farrell (Pennsylvania) School District superintendent and board made drastic improvements to improve the district's economic situation. Community cooperation was the element that turned the condition around. (JOW)

This document outlines a framework for a child-centered education approach to meet the requirements of the school-funding reforms mandated by the Ohio Supreme Court. The restructuring, which tied funding to education opportunity, was in response to the court case, "DeRolph vs. State," which ended reliance on the local property tax as the…

Discusses whether school boards can indemnify board members or officials for legal fees generated by challenges to recall election proceedings. Focuses on Wisconsin, where recalls need not be based on cause. Concludes that, because recalls such as Wisconsin's are essentially political, boards should not pay the legal fees involved. (Author/RW)

Insufficient resource allocation to facilities maintenance and decisions to defer maintenance are contributors to a backlog of deferred maintenance nationwide. Focuses on the infrastructure of New York schools and suggests incentives at the state level to ensure adequate attention is given to plant maintenance. (eight references) (MLF)

This paper reviews the New York State Small City School District (SCSD) school budget voting policy debate. State policymakers are debating whether to change from representative to referendum school budget voting in the 57 SCSDs. After examining the arguments, recent research, and possible costs and benefits of referendum budget voting, three…