Policies play an important role in shaping school environments. Schools with healthy, well-maintained physical environments signal that students are valued. Policies built around equal opportunities, valued teachers, and family and community engagement strengthen a school's psychosocial environment. Coordinated school health program policies…

School boards may encounter legal complications when they enter into confidential agreements with problem employees. Case studies are presented involving open-records laws, child-abuse reporting laws, fraud and negligent misrepresentation, public policy, and constructive discharge. Recommendations for dealing with settlement agreements are…

The traditional place of college authority has shifted and with it the place of student development theories in dealing with student conduct. Suggests that rather than stepping away, administrators of student policies need to address the life and learning experiences that lead to ethical and moral outcomes. (Author/MKA)

A survey of K-12 school counselors investigated current school environments and policies toward racial and sexual minorities, counselors' knowledge about homosexual issues, how they acquired their knowledge, and what resources would be helpful in expanding their knowledge. Results of the survey are presented, and counselors' comments are…

Discusses how numerous legal sources (Constitutional, federal, state, local, and common law) affect everyday public school operations. Fields 10 questions regarding written and legally sound rules, common rules for district schools, board approval of club bylaws and activities, "in loco parentis," legal image, employee assignments,…

As principals become more accountable for student achievement, evaluation policies and procedures should be carefully crafted. Evaluation should focus on school improvement, be performance-based and aligned with job junctions, define performance expectations, promote buy-in and collaboration among administrators, promote growth and improved…

A four-year study evaluated how establishing, teaching, and reinforcing schoolwide rules and routines and systematically responding to disruptive behavior affected the number of formal office disciplinary referrals in one elementary school. Results revealed that establishing clear standards and having in place a systematic response to disruptive…

Examines implications of Chicago school policies for one Hispanic elementary school, suggesting that although Chicago's centrally regulated accountability measures include demands for improving minority students' education, current policies undermine the struggle for an empowering, equitable education. Describes schooling that is rooted in…

As the Internet becomes increasingly commercialized, the K-12 world will need to follow higher education's lead and define who owns a wealth of instructional information. Some companies are actively seeking to purchase teacher-created work. Teachers generally own what they create, but district policies should be in place. (MLH)

Homework substantially affects high-school students' achievement, benefits junior-high kids only half as much, and elementary kids negligibly. Homework can be an effective teaching tool when districts, schools, and teachers flex and coordinate their policies, stress developmentally appropriate assignments, and try alternatives to homework.…

Reports on aspects of the Parental and School Choice Interaction (PASCI) Study that investigate the relationship between school decision making and parental choice. Identifies factors inhibiting British schools' capacity to change policy and practice in response to choice and competition. Barriers to responsiveness vary and significantly influence…

Professor Hill Walker has identified three challenges to handling disruptive student behavior: prevention, at-risk programs, and high-intensity interventions. Principals should beware administrative traps: getting tough is enough, targeting a few difficult students, seeking quick fixes, finding one powerful trick, revering outside experts, and…

Discusses how a policy statement on board philanthropy can clarify fundraising expectations of all governing and foundation board members. Describes essential components of such a policy statement: mission and vision, recognition of board responsibility for fundraising, specific expectations, and commitment to project and campaign goals. Also…

Asserts that given an environment in which legal standards may be ambiguous and usage is increasing rapidly, responsible higher education institutions need to develop and implement information system policies that establish clear guidelines for university faculty, students, and staff. Discusses issues that should be addressed in such policies. (EV)

Focus-group interviews of New York City middle-school students about their perceptions of the effectiveness of the school-uniform policy. Finds that students' perceptions of the effects of school-uniform policy on school culture varied considerably with those intended by the principal. (Contains 40 references.) (PKP)