This report addresses some of the concerns surrounding smaller classes and looks at whether reduced class sizes result in higher achievement levels, and concludes that it in fact does increase student achievement, so long as classes do not exceed 17 students. But many critics question whether the high cost of reducing classes to 17 or fewer…

Researchers have discovered that the physical condition of a school can make a difference in student achievement. To further this knowledge, seven articles on school environments, ranging from school repair to strategies for infrastructure funding, are presented. The first article, "The Cruel Conditions of Our Nation's Schools," (Michael…

Maine's York County Technical College (YCTC) undertook a project to develop a handbook for adjunct faculty that provided information on campus procedures, available resources, and general teaching techniques. The discussion began with a review of related literature to determine the value of adjunct faculty to two-year colleges, the value of…

This Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) report was designed to assist the California legislature in developing a long-term state strategy--or master plan--for improving the state's K-12 education system. A K-12 master plan would serve two purposes. In developing the plan, the legislature would create a forum to review the state's existing…

This paper uses concepts from New Institutional Economics and subdisciplines within economics to describe factors related to schools' success. It draws on an exploratory study of a small sample of public and private primary schools in Chile to show that it is possible to apply the concepts proposed in the paper and that there is a positive…

This policy guide explains that every state and school district needs policies addressing serious issues raised by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Chapter 1, "Developing Policy," discusses why policies are valuable, at what level policy belongs, and whether policies should be specific to HIV. Chapter 2, "Policy…

This report provides information about drug testing by American secondary schools, based on results from national surveys. The purposes of this study are (1) to provide descriptive information on drug testing practices by schools from 1998 to 2001, and (2) to examine the association between drug testing by schools and reported drug use by…

This 8-page booklet is a survey instrument that was sent to randomly selected college and university senior administrators nationwide by the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention. The 29-item questionnaire is designed to learn more about alcohol and other drug prevention efforts taking place on college campuses. Information…

This resource guide is intended to assist schools in developing protocols for responding to critical incidents. It focuses on proactive plans to deal with the traumatic aftereffects of a critical incident which affects some or all of the members of a school community. The guide outlines a generic protocol which includes steps to be undertaken in…

Promoting healthy and safe behaviors among students is an important part of the fundamental mission of schools, which is to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. Improving student health and safety can: increase students? capacity to learn; reduce absenteeism; and improve physical…

It is time to analyze closely what children's problems are, what we know, what funds we have, and how our institutions -- families, schools, churches, community centers, organizations, and industry -- can cooperate in trying to meet the needs of our children most effectively. (Author)

Kirkwood Community College, Iowa, set up course on drugs for local adults and school teachers. Objective was a continuing, effective community program to control drug abuse. Course content and experience of participants are outlined here. (PD)

Excerpts from the ruling made on February 17, 1970 by United States District Judge Damon J. Keith in the Pontiac, Michigan school segregation case. (JM)

Most school districts expect and accept failure from substitute teachers. Current policies result in little or no student learning in classes taught by minimally qualified substitute teachers who receive low pay and scant recognition. Problems substitute teachers face and steps that might improve their situation are discussed. (PP)

This paper examines how child protection legislation has affected educational systems and school personnel in Canada and the United States and draws general conclusions about the adequacy of legislation concerning child abuse reporting requirements. Vagueness in the laws leads to problems with their implementation. (PP)