The content of teacher rating scales was investigated in a recently completed survey of the nation's 60 largest school districts. Of the 53 responding districts, 50 indicated that they are currently using some type of rating scale to measure teacher performance. Districts reported the purpose and type of scale being used, the frequency of rating,…

At the beginning of the 1973-74 academic year alcohol usage was officially permitted for the first time in residence halls at the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota. To determine residents' perceptions of the effects of the change in drinking policy, interviews were conducted with 49 current dormitory residents, who had also lived…

The school environment is potentially discriminatory since acceptable avenues for the expression of a variety of interests are frequently prescribed in different ways for males and females. The deliberate segregation of the sexes according to preconceived notions of appropriate curricular activities is open to question. The author describes ways…

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has undertaken a general program development activity in the area of student rights and responsibilities. In August 1973 a committee of professional educators was appointed to develop guidelines for the Student Rights and Responsibilities Program. During December 1973 and January 1974, the draft of the guidelines…

The attendance policy outlined in this document succeeded in increasing attendance in Napa High School, California. The program focused on student absences due to truancy, not illness, although many of the illness absences reported were due to other, not-so-legitimate causes. The attendance program utilized a direct relationship between the…

Because of the concern over student alcohol abuse, the school employee with a drinking problem sometimes is neglected. This article discusses this aspect of alcohol use in the schools, and offers some suggestions on how best to address the problem. (Author/KC)

Discusses improprieties that have been found in the way school districts let contracts for student photographs. Guidelines to ensure ethical and legal practices are suggested. (IRT)

It's been federal law since November 1974 yet many school administrators are not aware of its requirements, and most parents do not know their rights under its provisions. (Editor)

The University of Miami has established 19 new rules aimed at orienting student-athletes to the campus, preparing them for the pressures of college athletics, and ending incidents of embarrassing athlete behavior. (MSE)

In "New Jersey v. T.L.O." (1985), the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the evidentiary standard applying to search and seizure by school officials from "probable cause" to "reasonable suspicion." However, search of students should be done only when absolutely necessary (for safety or "order" reasons), and a…

Explores the legislative decisions concerning parental versus state control of education in light of the Hatch Amendment. Suggests ways for educators and counselors to deal with the amendment by recognizing limitations of the amendment, developing procedures for determining when written parental consent is required, and developing and publishing a…

Provides four day care center directors' perspectives on the problem of parents who are frequently late in picking up their children from the day care facility. Offers succinct guidelines and appropriate penalties. (RWB)

Argues that the senior middle school's sole responsibility of sending qualified new students to a university goes against basic Marxist principles of integrating education with productive labor. Questions the future of senior middle schools in China and their policies. (BSR)

Urges policymakers to examine and update their school system's child abuse reporting policy. Such policies must be adequate to help endangered children, protect their right to privacy, and avoid overprotection. Advises on ways to protect staff against unnecessary accusations and develop inservice training programs discussing child abuse, state…

This article describes a four year research project which investigated how a system of democratized primary school government, in which parents were prominent, was functioning. Findings suggest that the democratized government was an effective, acceptable, and practical reform. States that strategies and guidelines may be drawn from this example.…