For the most part, teachers were protected from job layoffs so the effect of Proposition 13 is being felt by administrators and classified personnel. (IRT)

Revolving around whether schools should open before or after Labor Day are the issues of jobs, tradition, money, and local control. Presents the pros and cons being put forth in discussions in a number of states. (MLF)

A new Kentucky law requires school board members to undergo 15 hours of training annually, of which 10 are provided by the Kentucky School Boards Association without state funding. A new Georgia law provides funding for required orientation training and encourages further training. Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas also mandate training. (PGD)

In 1983, 26 states have statutes or regulations that require teachers to be evaluated, and 22 of these states also require administrators to be evaluated. (MLF)

Presents 10 questions to test school board members' awareness of the legislative process and offers 10 tips on influencing educational legislation, including identifying goals, knowing the territory and the process, communicating well, being prepared to compromise, offering to help others, and fighting issues not people. (RW)

Discusses controversy involving state funding of Pennsylvania cyber charter schools. (PKP)

Describes the impact of California's Proposition 13 on the finances of one California school district. (IRT)

Under Rhode Island's new School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) program, the state gathers information from such sources as statewide performance assessments, in-depth community surveys, and computerized, comparative analyses of school expenditures. Article offers basic guidelines for program evaluation. (MLF)

Describes several legal issues involving school board member use of electronic mail, especially violation of state open-meeting laws. Offers several tips to avoid legal pitfalls. Briefly describes Freedom on Information Act issues related to electronic communication. Provides sample policies on e-mail use. (PKP)

The pros and cons of financial disclosure laws of varying strictness and their effects on school board members are discussed. Recent trends are noted and a tabulation is provided of the statutory requirements concerning disclosure of personal finances and campaign contributions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. (PGD)

Provides a brief historical overview of the social implications of homosexuality and supplies data suggesting that homosexuality is much more widespread than many are prepared to believe. (WM)

Presents evidence to demonstrate that accountability (1) is developing into something it was never meant to be; (2) can mean more freedom for school boards, superintendents, principals, and teachers; and (3) can place extra pressures on board members. (Author/JF)

Because of a tax-rate drop and problems associated with the state's new equalization plan, New Trier is facing severe cutbacks in its two high schools. (IRT)