This study indicates that intent to achieve statewide uniformity of curriculum, to ensure selection of high-quality textbooks, and to control textbook costs is firmly grounded in data sources. Adoption processes of "state adoption" states are not monolithic, and insight into adoption processes may be gained from "open" states.…

This guide describes the requirements of the 1989 amendments to the "Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act" (DFSCA), as articulated in the "Education Department General Administrative Regulations" (EDGAR) Part 86,--the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations--and ways in which institutions of higher education (IHEs) have met…

The U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention publishes "Catalyst," a newsletter covering current Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence (AODV) prevention issues at institutions of higher education. "Catalyst" discusses emerging issues and highlights innovative efforts on…

Department chairs are in a position to help shape a culture where student learning is the central focus of faculty, staff, and students (Gmelch & Schuh, 2004). They hire, socialize, and evaluate faculty members' performance, guide curriculum development, and maintain the quality of academic programs. At the same time, department chairs typically…

This paper reports on a study of high school dropouts ages 16-24 in a rural county in Illinois. Specifically, the study reports on descriptive data pertaining to high school dropouts, focusing on those who chose to return to education; changes in student views and perceptions regarding education; and efforts by the school system to encourage…

These four issues of "Trustee Quarterly" focus on current topics affecting community college trustees. Issue 1 focuses on the learning revolution and serves as a guide for community college trustees. It offers the following feature articles by Terry O'Banion: "Education Reform: Two Waves,""The Second Wave and the Community…

Four school resource officers (SROs) and four school administrators were brought together by the Center for the Prevention of School Violence, located in the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, to discuss effective SRO-administrator relationships. This brief research bulletin describes the results of that…

This article reviews some of the First Amendment issues that school boards and their legal counsel often encounter during a school board meeting. The discussion necessarily begins with a brief review of the public forum doctrine, under which is included the traditional public forum, the designated public forum, and the nonpublic forum. The article…

Principals and teachers have long thought that student tardiness was a serious problem. In one study from the 1990s, 8-12% of students were absent each day, and more than 40% of teachers found tardiness to be a significant problem. In fact, it is considered so serious that a school's response can go to extremes. The question, of course, is not…

The phenomenal growth of science and technology in the past decade has made science teaching more important, and at the same time more difficult. An awareness of these changes has caused an unprecedented public support for sound science programs in the schools. A good science program makes effective use of equipment and materials in teaching basic…

Homosexual adolescents are at risk within schools for many health problems. Hostile school environments can often exacerbate their problems. This article summarizes research on issues related to youth sexual orientation, noting controversies surrounding school involvement in the United States and describing programs instituted by school…

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits government (which includes public schools) from imposing religious beliefs and practices in schools. Examines court decisions interpreting the First Amendment, distinguishes state action from private action, and explains the notion of "limited open forum" with regard to…

Examines the effects of teachers' decision-making power on core educational issues involving conflict among teachers, students, and administrators. Discovers a positive relationship between increased teacher autonomy and decreased school conflict. Identifies and discusses several types of decisions made by teachers. (MJP)

Discusses educational standards, core curricula, competence models, school autonomy, school evaluation, and from input-to output-control as important catchwords in the present education and school policy debate. Points out that the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) has triggered a new educational debate in Germany that calls for…

Asserts that while some students will become Internet "fanatics" most will never tap the enormous power of the Internet without a coordinated system of instruction. Discusses the components of an acceptable use policy and gives examples from various schools. Recommends teachers review the technology section of educational journals. (MJP)