In a study of the characteristics of persons who took the California licensing examination for clinical social workers, the only variable that correlated with passing the examination was the applicant's involvement in personal therapy. (Author)

Although individual components of reform initiatives may appear promising, little thought is given to possible inconsistencies resulting from implementing multiple reform components simultaneously. This article describes some unintended consequences arising from inconsistencies between and within components of Kentucky's systemic education reform.…

The National Parent Teacher Association acknowledges parents' primary child-rearing role, but questions the need for legislation to extend parents' constitutional rights. Parents already have numerous rights and options for fighting "unreasonable" government interference. The laws that upset parental rights proponents are needed to…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) does not contain a statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Presents a state-by-state analysis of the statutes of limitations courts have borrowed from the respective states for lawsuits appealing administrative decisions and independent actions to recover attorney fees under IDEA. (55…

Although at least four states have developed and validated instruments to assess principals' performance, most states, including Kentucky, rely on outdated criteria and continue to use inappropriate technical procedures in developing appraisal instruments. There is need to evaluate the principal as an individual on processes and as a team member…

Oklahoma's answer to the cry for reform and involvement in education emerged as House Bill 1017, a comprehensive $223 million school reform and tax act. This article reviews the HR 1017 story, focusing on its legislative enactment history and offering a content analysis of mandated changes in finance, personnel, governance, student assessment,…

Reviews judicial responses relevant to: whether a handbook indicates a contractual relationship between the employee or student and the institution; if a handbook does indicate a contractual relationship, whether that part of the contract can be altered; and how the handbook should be interpreted in the event of ambiguity or inconsistencies. (93…

In 1989, Florida educational leaders responded to information-age challenges by initiating a four-year project to identify the requirements for measurably improving vocational education. The project eventually identified 38 field-validated pedagogical/instructional goals and 161 related learner competencies in four topical areas: planning and…

Public-sector management teams and their counterpart labor unions are faced with an ever-increasing myriad of challenges in the quest to produce collective bargaining agreements. Shrinking tax bases, declining levels of federal and state assistance, and public demands for downsizing and privatization are all factors that suggest that financial…

Discusses impact of the scientifically based research and student-performance data requirements in No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on elementary and secondary schools. Describes potential consequences for school administrators, teachers, and parents. (PKP)

Describes Arizona school district's service-related partnership with home-schooled students. (PKP)

As the articles in this "Kappan" special section show, leaders at the national, state, district, and school levels are following new paths to partnership between schools and families. Most programs make teachers' jobs easier and should continue throughout childhood and adolescence and include all families without requiring frequent…

According to two recent state surveys, much existing state legislation pays only lip service to the importance of parent participation. Staffing and funding levels are inadequate. Despite decades of federal legislation and support for parental involvement, most states have not passed enabling legislation or developed policies and written…

Charged with overhauling the state's educational system, the Kentucky General Assembly last spring devised a landmark reform scheme that mandates site-based management, abolishes the existing state board of education, and institutes an ambitious system of rewards and sanctions aimed at holding schools accountable for student performance. A sidebar…

School leaders must understand the legal relationships involved in public education's governance structure. To minimize the risk of litigation they must also address several major areas of concern: the legal relationships between principal and teacher and between principal and student, program management, and legal liability (the state laws…