News You Can Use Features - Archive

• Mental Health in Schools - The Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA has developed a free, book-length resource entitled “Mental Health in School and School Improvement: Current Status, Concerns and New Directions.” Learn more and download a copy. (02/08/2008)



• AASA Joins Campaign to Stop Teen Prescription Drug Abuse - The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is concerned about the rise in prescription drug abuse and is working to educate parents and other influencers on the dangers of teen prescription drug abuse. AASA has signed on to an open letter to school professionals to help advance the goals of the campaign. Download an ad to share with parents in your district (PDF). (12/13/2007)



• New Site Offers Resources for Evaluating Teacher Quality - To help administrators and policymakers improve the quality of teachers and instruction, the Teacher Quality Research website provides research evidence on the characteristics and education of effective teachers. The site is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Florida State University. Its work is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (12/10/2007)



• Nutrition Standards for School Foods Report Released – A report released by the Institute of Medicine, Nutrition Standards For Foods in Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth, concludes that federally-reimbursable school nutrition programs should be the main source of nutrition at school, while opportunities for competitive foods should be limited. (05/18/2007)



• Report Focuses on How Public Schools Promote the Common Good - Public education plays a vital role in America’s democratic society, according to a report by the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Education Policy. The report, Why We Still Need Public Schools: Public Education for the Common Good, highlights the history and importance of public education in the United States. (04/05/2007)



• MySpace recently published a school administrator's guide to their website. AASA was not involved in the development and publication of this guide, but we hope that some of its contents will be beneficial to you. Contents include a site overview, instructions for removing a false and/or offensive profile, and tips for concerned parents. The guide also offers an email address and phone number dedicated to answering the concerns of school administrators. Learn more. (11/08/2006)