The "Forum Guide to Metadata" presents and examines the ways in which metadata can be used by education agencies to improve data quality and promote a better understanding of education data. Supported by metadata-related case studies from state and local education agencies, the guide highlights the uses of metadata from a technical point…

The guide allows users to adapt and implement suggested O&M (operating and maintaining) strategies to address specific energy efficiency goals. It recognizes and expands on existing tools and resources that are widely used throughout the high-performance school industry. The guide is organized into the following sections: (1) Chapter 1:…

Belle Fourche High School in South Dakota has developed a curriculum for an entrepreneurial approach to education. This paper contains the history of the school's adoption of this program, as well as course descriptions and standards. In 1988, Belle Fourche High School, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, and the McREL (Mid-Continent…

This manual provides information to help charter schools navigate the facility development process, including worksheets that can be customized to suit a particular school's needs. Sections cover how facility planning fits into business planning for charter schools, review a process for assessing a school's facility needs, and summarize how to…

School executives can use a technique borrowed from business, "Strategic Planning," to introduce change and improvements into schools. (MLF)

This handbook was developed as a means for self-assessment to assist school business officials in determining the efficiency of the business office's planning, procedures, and operations. It does not include every possible procedure or task performed in the business office. It is intended, rather, as a broad-based checklist of those operations and…

This book covers the principles of risk and risk management and offers a framework for analyzing the significant, often unforeseen threats facing higher education institutions today. It examines the critical elements of a disaster preparedness plan and addresses business continuity and mission continuity planning. The book also provides tools for…

Designed specifically for family day care providers in Alameda County, California, this handbook provides legal and business advice thought to be useful as well to providers throughout the United States. A wide range of legal and business issues is covered in 15 brief chapters. Advice is offered on provider-parent contracts, planning for accidents…

This book describes the evolution of New American Schools (NAS) and its strategy for reform during its first 6 years of operation. After a short introduction in chapter 1, chapter 2 outlines the potential contribution of school designs and design-based assistance to education reform, focusing on the nature of NAS designs, the character of…

This manual is designed to summarize the main features of the Alberta, Canada business education program and to make suggestions regarding the efficient management of resources, facilities, and equipment. The manual begins with overview materials that present the business program's rationale and philosophy, goals and objectives, an overview of the…

With many impending retirements of school business officials, school districts and universities should collaborate in assuring smooth transitions in the nation's school business offices. Forward planning includes offering internships in the school business office and extensive cross-training for presently employed specialists. (MLF)

Project management covers a wide range of skills and is one of the best forms of staff development available for the development of skills by doing. This publication is for the use of staff involved in e-learning development projects. An introduction and overview includes discussion of e-learning projects in general and why they are undertaken;…

The California Child Care Initiative is a collaborative program with the objective of increasing the supply of licensed quality child care in the state to better meet demand. This handbook provides family child care providers with guidance in implementing and maintaining a family daycare operation. The handbook provides articles, sample forms and…

This guide is intended to inform school district leaders about the federally identified risks associated with a new coronavirus that is now present in the U.S., known as "COVID-19," and to provide a checklist of issues school leaders should consider when planning for any such crisis in the community. School systems can be proactive and…

This guide is written for people in British higher education institutions (HEIs) who use, or would like to use, regional and local labor market information (LMI) in strategic, operational, and business planning. It is also designed for agencies who commission and produce regional and local labor market, skills, and economic reports. Chapter 1…