A teacher need not prove he is competent to keep his job, but a school board must prove he is incompetent in order to get rid of him. (Author)

Several Colorado and Kansas school systems are having their school buses rebuilt commercially, saving $5,000 to $17,000 per bus. In deciding whether to replace or rebuild buses, districts should consider age and mechanical condition, local climate, safety concerns, and regulatory requirements. (MLH)

Looks at some of the current requirements for school bus safety under Standard 17 developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (Author/WM)

A brief discussion of the new Federal Pupil Transportation Safety Act. (JF)

Seventeen important things to keep in mind when considering the purchase of athletic, gym, and playground equipment. (Author)

The Mid Continent Regional Educational Laboratory polled 2,500 adults about what schools should teach, based on the McREL Standards database. If a curriculum were designed based on this survey, all health, technology, and work-skills standards would be included. All arts, foreign language, or historical understanding standards would be excluded.…

A sound physical education program is sensitive to the individual abilities and interests of students. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) offers a checklist to evaluate physical education programs. (MLF)

The National Board for Professional Teaching standards has launched a nationwide effort to professionalize teaching and boost the quality of classroom instruction. Cites school boards' actions in encouraging teachers to seek certification. (MLF)

The professionalization" of teaching might begin a history of lawsuits against teachers for malpractice (and subsequent emotional damage to children.) (EA)

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended retiring as unsafe all school buses made before April 1, 1977. Buses built after that date--called "poststandard buses"--are likely to be in great demand for safety, economic, and legal reasons. (MLF)

Describes the efforts of the Tacoma, Washington, school system to boost student achievement. The district implemented high standards and promoted parent involvement. Other features included a staff-training program, a revamped summer-school program, and a cooperative program with local colleges and universities. (LMI)

We need to get clear agreement in the United States on what students should know and be able to do. We also need to invest in education. An initiative filed in Colorado earmarks a one-cent sales tax for education. (MLF)

Numerous studies indicate that student learning is directly linked to the quality of teaching that occurs in the classroom. School boards can play a vital role in staff development. They should adopt standards for student learning, teaching, leadership, and staff development. Adequate funding and an incentive system that rewards improvements in…