The majority of children from lower income families enter elementary school well behind their peers in reading, math, and general knowledge. Poor academic achievement in the early grades is associated with a range of social problems such as failure to complete high school, increased risk of unintended pregnancy, increased criminal activity, and…

California lawmakers have found it increasingly difficult to protect the state's investment in its colleges and universities over the last decade despite the growing evidence that the state needs far more of its citizens to earn postsecondary credentials. Additionally, California higher education continues to operate without effective coordination…

To ease the pain of closing two delapidated high schools, the East Chicago (Indiana) City Schools threw a gala alumni farewell party. To organize a similar event, superintendents should galvanize staff, win the school board's support, publicize the event, involve the community, use incentives to boost attendance, encourage creativity, and keep a…

Because school district census-taking can be problematic, three Virginia administrators who conducted a 1983 triennial census were asked about their procedures. Survey form design, vendors, post office and community relations, telephone questions, and data checking are discussed. A sample form is included. (KS)

How an art department can use screen printing to provide useful, creative services to the school and community is described. This helps foster a positive attitude toward art education while teaching students new concepts. (RM)

Describes activities of Gustavus Library Associates, begun in 1977 to support advancement of resources of Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minnesota) and achiever of national reputation for skill at raising money and for quality of its activities. Definable goals and conditions for success are noted. (EJS)

This kit, an updated version of a 1974 publication, resulted from a survey of Friends of the Library Organizations commissioned by Tulane University in 1974. All members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) were surveyed with a mailed questionnaire. The survey analysis is based on the 63 ARL members who responded, 33 of whom had Friends…

This survey assesses the local impact and issues presented in the National Commission on Excellence in Education's report, entitled "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform." Macomb County, Michigan, residents no longer view unemployment as their number one problem. Although unemployment remains a major concern, almost…

South Carolina's Education Improvement Act of 1984 is motivating, innovative, challenging, and satisfying. The law is motivating to the citizens of South Carolina because it promises increased student academic achievement, better services to special groups of students and school personnel, improved school conditions, extensive community…

The director of a school for the gifted explains strategies used to promote positive attitudes toward gifted education among parents, school staff, the public (in regard to funding), and students. (Author/DB)

Provides practical suggestions for developing and implementing a marketing plan for public school systems. Emphasizes orienting the school to the needs of the educational consumer and establishing effective means for communicating this orientation internally and externally. (PGD)

Guidelines to help elementary and secondary music teachers organize activities for Music in Our Schools Month are presented. (RM)

Reports on a Kansas school district that developed an annual report for its schools similar to a corporation annual report to stockholders. Provides a set of guidelines for developing such a report. (MD)

Program evaluation is a process of determining program performance for the purpose of improvement. Objectives essential to an effective program are accountability, public support, legitimacy, and communication of results. As a political tool, program evaluation must involve participants in the evaluation and decision-making processes of allocating…

This paper explores the political responsiblity of the library administrator, particularly in regard to government funding of public libraries and state library agencies. The history of library development in the United States is outlined, revealing the original political base of the library movement and indicating the necessity for political…