Over the last decade, teaching assistants (TAs) have become an established part of everyday classroom life. TAs are often used by schools to help low-attaining pupils and those with special educational needs. Yet despite the huge rise in the number of TAs working in UK classrooms, very little is known about their impact on pupils. This key and…

For homework to be effective, a clear, written policy should be developed that considers local needs, sound educational theories, and current research. This handbook is intended to assist school districts, particularly in Pennsylvania, in planning, developing, and implementing homework policies and guidelines. The booklet first briefly reviews the…

Lawyers are needed by schools for many more purposes than merely to execute legal documents. This set of notes for a conference presentation considers lawyers' roles in advising on the legal issues involved in the following: (1) business transactions typically encountered by schools (state contract review, state lease, pool lease, nonprofit…

Board and school system contacts with the public can be improved by providing first-rate service, businesslike meetings, efficient and courteous personnel, and attractive facilities. (MLF)

Behavior of direct care staff serving clients with mental retardation in 13 units of a large state-operated residential facility was observed. Results indicated that the activities of direct-care staff were influenced by the client's functioning level, the presence of professional staff, the location of the observation, and the resident- staff…

These guidelines were developed by a joint task force of members and staff of four national associations, to be of assistance to persons concerned with the safe delivery of specialized health care in educational settings. The guidelines delineate the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the provision of specialized health care. They…

As educators across the nation launch into frenzied efforts to "do something" in response to the various recommendations of commissions on educational excellence, many are forgetting that knowledge of how to implement change is available. This paper focuses on three concerns that educators must face when fitting general recommendations…

Reviews the history of grade repetition as a remedy for inadequate student achievement, examines recent trends in grade repetition policies, cites research findings relating to the effectiveness of grade repetition, clarifies the responsibilities of school personnel in making grade repetition decisions, and discusses alternatives to simple…

Uses examples from the Schaefer School in Tappan (New York) to illustrate how an elementary school can develop an educational climate that fosters friendship, the key to student socialization. Discusses the following areas: (1) classroom activities; (2) school-wide democratic governance structures; (3) support staff roles; and (4) time scheduling.…

A nationwide survey of 84 child protection workers found that 92 percent of the counties represented had a problem meeting their medical needs and would be willing to hire a physician assistant as medical consultant. Needs most commonly identified were providing parent education, interviewing, and interpreting medical information to a…

The document offers guidelines to states regarding review and revision of child care statutes, standards, and policies to address the prevention of child sexual abuse in day care facilities. General information is also provided on changes in state standards in recent years. Each of six sections examines findings of the 1981 Comparative Licensing…

This pamphlet answers the question "How can we best involve parents in the classroom?" at the level of the school council, school staff, and classroom teacher. Issues to be negotiated by school councils include the changing nature of Australian family structures, parents with small children at home, parents helping after school hours,…

Extension community resource development (CRD) is primarily public affairs education at the local level, dealing with local issues. Two methods of public policy education are the advocacy model which picks two people with opposing views on a subject and lets them debate the issue, and the public policy education process which provides all relevant…

As Boston and other cities across the nation enter a second decade of education reform, the attention of school and community leaders, as well as of parents, is turning to the learning potential provided by after-school hours. This paper explores the potential role of project-based and experiential learning in transforming the learning…

Describes the Young Adult Learning Academy in New York (New York), a collaborative offering educational services to dropouts between 16 and 24 years old whose low reading levels make them ineligible for adult education programs. Emphasizes cooperation, staffing, and development of the instructional program. (FMW)