Recent national initiatives have renewed interest in the development of cooperative programs involving participation by businesses in school activities. This article reviews potential problems and benefits in school-business partnerships and identifies six steps that must be followed if such partnerships are to be successful. (PGD)

Although decision making by consensus takes time, cooperation, and practice, the results at the secondary school level are not only good decisions but also a sense of ownership and satisfaction among faculty members involved in the process. This article offers a few essential guidelines. (Author/PGD)

In response to an interviewer's questions, internationally recognized educator Benjamin S. Bloom states his beliefs about the effectiveness of proposed educational reforms and argues for increased experimentation, greater stress on higher mental processes, the adoption of mastery learning, new research efforts, and more effective commitment to…

This article describes the response to recommendations made by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' Consortium for the Performance Based Preparation of Principals regarding improvements in administrator education programs. Efforts to adopt the recommendations at universities in California, Utah, Illinois, and Michigan are…

Federal courts upheld the rights of two school boards to cancel planned student plays. One play was intended as part of a secondary school's curriculum and the other was an extracurricular activity for third graders. Both plays contained controversial material. (PGD)

Educational improvement can only be achieved when a school's climate is positive and conducive to learning. The principal must take the lead in establishing an effective climate by being fair, consistent, capable, and--most importantly--highly visible. (PGD)

By adopting the attitude that teacher evaluations should serve primarily to help the teacher improve and only secondarily to determine whether teacher contracts should be renewed, principals can establish a collegial atmosphere that makes the evaluation process less threatening and more effective. (PGD)

The prevalence of cheating in the schools, student attitudes toward cheating, and the social mores excusing cheating are considered in this article, and suggestions that can be followed by parents, students, and teachers to eliminate cheating are offered. (PGD)

A grant-funded program to use computers to develop thinking skills in gifted sixth- and seventh-grade students is described. Students learn to apply different types of thinking, use different types of software, and develop their own programs and programs for teachers in other classes. (PGD)

The in-school suspension program used at the Blue Springs (Missouri) Junior High School is carefully structured to focus student attention or productive academic work. This article describes the program and lists several questions that must be considered by those seeking to develop an effective program. (PGD)

Since 1974, Nova High School, a public high school in Davie, Florida, has offered selected students the opportunity to spend approximately six weeks in Europe studying the sources and influences of western civilization in Italy, France, England, and other locations. This article reviews some basic organizational features of the program. (PGD)

Public relations efforts require more than press releases and good publicity. All school staff members, not just the "professionals," play a critical role in disseminating accurate information about schools. This article provides a school PR quiz for administrators and suggestions for improving staff meetings, internal staff communication, and…

Despite time restraints and lack of training, principals are responsible for mounting some kind of public relations effort in their schools. This article provides a checklist for building a successful campaign, including polling staff talents, reaching out to the community, obtaining district assistance, and making the right approach. (MLH)

Although frequently overlooked in schools' public relations efforts, parents are uniquely motivated and qualified to communicate positive messages about schools. In Dallas, Texas, parents and city groups formed Positive Parents of Dallas to promote their school district and public education. This article describes the group's activities and…

Public relations is a process that should produce relationships (not merely favorable public opinion) and should target a few opinion leaders and others who really care about individual schools. As chief public relations officers, principals need to understand the information diffusion process and use workable tactics to produce solid community…