American School Board Journal

Computer rooms, identical classrooms, and long hallways flanked by rows of metal lockers are out. Forget about blackboards, institutional cafeterias, and teacher break rooms, too. Even students’ and teachers’ desks are endangered.

The Supreme Court's decision on using race in student assignment sets new rules, but it leaves out the necessary tools for success

Susan Black
It's a complex question that carries strong opinions on both sides of the fence. Some politicians, such as Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, think so. They support using state and federal funds to make college a reality for every high school graduate. Granholm, a Democrat, says sending every high school student in Michigan to college is her “most important strategy” to turn around the state’s floundering economy. She faces a formidable challenge. Michigan’s unemployment rate is among the worst in the nation, and the state ranks among those with the lowest numbers of college graduates.

Helping impoverished parents become involved in schools is a challenge, but districts can -- and must -- build a partnership.
Lawrence Hardy

Districts spend thousands of dollars to recruit, hire, and train new teachers. Then, after a year or two, they have to repeat the process because those same teachers have left their jobs. How much does this cost? In terms of money, it’s been estimated that each teacher who is recruited, trained, and lost can cost districts up to $50,000. Disruptions in teaching and learning and negative effects on morale are among other costs that can be even more devastating, writes Hal Portner in American School Board Journal.
Contact: Haberman Educational Foundation

Del Stover
A generation after white flight, districts continue to face awkward discussions and painful choices in an attempt to achieve diversity.

Susan Black
A number of schools are removing unruly and unmotivated students
from the classroom and teaching them in alternative settings. Is this how districts should encourage self-control?

Naomi Dillon
Preparing Students for What’s to Come.

Susan Black
Teaching a trade may not be as popular as it once was, but programs continue to promote economic growth and stability.

Kathleen Vail
Thanks largely to technology, career and technical education takes center stage in the high school reform arena.

Alexandria, Va. – School districts, education agencies, and even municipal governments are increasing their attention on curtailing boundary hopping – the practice of falsifying residency status to attend a specific school, according to the cover story of the January issue of American School Board Journal.   

Susan Black
Teachers can change misconceptions and improve
knowledge, but simply covering the curriculum and coaching on tests won't suffice.
What causes the phases of the moon? Why do seasons change?
Kids come up with the darndest answers, says Bill Weiler. He compiles lists of children’s misconceptions about science for the American Institute of Physics.

Lawrence Hardy
As schools face increased pressure for performance, ASBJ examines the challenges -- and hopes -- for reform. One-hundred percent proficiency -- that was the big story of No Child Left Behind when the law was passed in 2002. Within 12 years all public school children would have to be proficient in math and reading, no matter how far they had to go to reach that goal.