When children of literate elite need help, their parents can furnish what school has missed. When children of print poor need help, they have nowhere to turn. To break the illiteracy cycle, schools must help parents understand how to help their children at home. Sidebars describe the Megaskills program and show how teachers can foster family…

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 and subsequent legislation have radically altered the rules needed to maintain favorable tax status of tax-sheltered annuity plans for college employees. Application of the new rules is complex. Critical questions facing institutions and organizations are answered, and potential liabilities facing educational employers…

Recounts two homeless teenagers' struggle to stabilize their lives and graduate from high school. To help other heroic, homeless students, high schools should adopt flexible admission criteria, attendance policies, course offerings, and class assignments and provide special education services, transportation vouchers, and emotional support when…

The majority of Fundamentalist Christians are not political activists calling for a relentless cultural war; Fundamentalist Christians are a diverse group whose members do not necessarily share common views on social, economic, and political matters. To head off a crisis, educators should explain to community members the logic behind the school…

University talent-search projects provide a viable model for schools' talent-development efforts. There are three critical elements: a flexible age-grade placement philosophy, a commitment to use tests to improve curriculum and instruction, and a strong support structure for teachers and administrators. Students must also develop appropriate…

Many high school students, desperate for better grades or too lazy to study, are cheating to get ahead. In a 1998 "American School Board Journal" survey, 90% of teachers claimed cheating was a problem. High achievers could be the worst offenders. Sidebars discuss parents who condone cheating, student honor codes, and steps boards can take. (MLH)

With the "Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education" decision, a bitterly divided U.S. Supreme Court resolved the split between circuit courts over public school districts' liability for money damages under Title IX. Boards may be held liable when school officials are deliberately indifferent to on-campus student-to-student sexual…

Ponders a case involving a first grader's right to read a story about Jacob to his class. A U.S. District Court upheld the teacher's decision to allow the boy to read the story only to her. Teachers can explain to youngsters that reading a Bible story aloud does not constitute endorsement of particular religious beliefs. (MLH)

A study surveyed 51 teachers at a small-town midwestern school, using the High School and Family Partnership Summary instrument. Only 20 teachers strongly agreed that parental involvement would increase student success; 3 had time to involve parents. Only four believed the school viewed parents as important partners. (Contains 14 references.) (MLH)

Maintains that educators should broaden their conception of competence and their thinking about desired educational outcomes. Argues that schools must become places where all students, not just the higher academic performers, can cultivate their skills, feel competent, and experience success. Suggests strategies for implementing a broader…

While recognizing high-stakes testing's value, both the "GI Forum" decision and the Office of Civil Rights guide raise questions that boards and educators should ask about the administration and consequences of their own testing programs. Methods for systematically collecting, analyzing, disseminating, and acting on test results are needed. (MLH)

The Autism Research Institute says autism-like disorders affect 15 out of 10,000 children. Cases are climbing in schools, partly due to expanded diagnostic codes (see sidebar). Autistic children are often misdiagnosed as having attention-deficit, learning, or emotional disorders. Schools can help by providing good teachers and early intervention.…

An attorney provides answers to frequently asked questions about the application of copyright law to the work of institutional research, including hard copy and electronic publishing, and its dissemination. Institutional researchers are treated as workers for hire, and the employer or institution is deemed the author and copyright holder;…

International schools' responsibility for easing students' entry and exit is becoming an accepted norm. A transition-resource team can serve its community by consolidating transition efforts, increasing transition expertise, and providing transition education (via curriculum redesign and developmental guidance). Teams can promote activities,…

Discusses risks of school failure, suicide, and serious life problems among gay and lesbian youth and the need for counselors who will understand and work with them. Reviews court cases that demonstrate the liability of schools to protect gay and lesbian students from harassment. Recommends practical counseling strategies for gay and lesbian…