Hot Topics Features - Archive

• 2008 Back-to-School Toolkit - Get the new school year off to a strong start with this exciting new resource! Includes a short back-to-school video. (08/01/2008)




• Hurricane Emergency Preparedness - Take time during Preparedness Month in September to make sure your school system is prepared for the unexpected.  (09/02/2008)




• AASA School Enrollment Trends - Working from a database tracking enrollment trends in almost 14,700 schools across the country, AASA explores how enrollment is changing at both the national and state level. (02/26/2008)



• AASA Statement on PDK/Gallup Poll - The public agrees with school system leaders on how to move forward on education reform to best serve our nation’s students. (08/21/2008)



• Children’s Mental Health Awareness - AASA seeks to bring attention to the issue and to improve the lives of young people with mental illness. Read more and learn tips that superintendents can take to improve the school community around mental health. (05/09/2008)



• Arts Increasingly Important – An AASA joint study finds school curricula and business training programs are not keeping pace with current workforce attitudes and needs. (04/01/2008)



• Healthcare for All Students - AASA commends member Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra and the Houston Independent School District for its leadership and partnership with the Children's Defense Fund - Texas' 100% Campaign, which works to ensure every school-aged child in Houston is linked to affordable healthcare. (03/26/2008)



• Green Schools - Building ‘green schools’ is a new movement in creating healthy learning environments for students. AASA has compiled resources to help answer questions you might have about this phenomenon. (03/26/2008)



• AASA Releases 2008 Legislative Agenda - Read "All Children Will Learn," the bold post-NCLB proposal for ESEA reauthorization! (PDF) You may also access the talking points for ESEA reauthorization (PDF) and other key pieces of legislation (PDF). (03/13/2008)



• School Safety Resources - AASA is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at Northern Illinois University on Feb. 14. AASA has created guidelines and a list of resources for school leaders called the ABC’s of School Safety. (02/15/2008)



• Implications of Racial and Ethnic Data Collection Changes - New guidance from the U.S. Department of Education that took effect Dec.3, 2007, changes the way districts are to collect and report racial and ethnic data from their students. AASA provides a background and easy-to-digest synopsis of what the implications are for districts. (12/14/2007)



• Drug Testing in Schools - Public and judicial attention given to the issue of drug testing in schools finds many districts without a drug testing policy and considering implementing one in their district. This hot topic from The Leader’s Edge takes a close look at the debate over drug testing in schools. (11/30/2007)



• Supreme Court on School Diversity - Two widely publicized Supreme Court decisions in the 2006-07 session centered on the Fourteenth Amendment and the use of race-conscious means to improve school diversity. Read case and decision summaries, learn about the implications for public schools and find resources for improving school diversity. (11/07/2007)



• Staph Superbug – Reports about a deadly "superbug" bacteria in schools are causing concern among school administrators. The staph bacteria, called MRSA, is resistant to many medications, making it difficult to treat. Student athletes and young students are most at risk. Find out what your district can do to limit transmission of MRSA. (10/26/2007)



• Back-to-School Health and Wellness Resources Available - It’s back-to-school time and AASA has created and compiled health and wellness resources that help schools, parents and students prepare for the new school year. (09/06/2007)



• Protect Your Students from Cyberbullying - As the scope of bullying expands beyond the playground to the Internet, school leaders are using new tactics to protect students. (08/18/2007)



• Superintendent Evaluation - In most employment situations, an annual performance review is standard. Why not for superintendents? (04/02/2007)



• Virginia Districts Defying U.S. Department of Education Over Testing of English Language Learners — Several Virginia school districts are resisting the federal mandate that English language learners take grade-level content assessments after just one year in the United States. AASA is seeking emergency legislation to clarify the intent of the statute, which states that students should not have to take such assessments until they have been in the United States for three years. (03/14/2007)



• Avian Flu — What is Avian Flu? What are the symptoms? What is the risk to humans? What is the difference between a flu epidemic and a pandemic outbreak? What can I do? Where can I get more information? (5/12/2006)



• Merit Pay: Why All the Fuss? Merit pay, incentive pay, pay for performance, it goes by many names; explore this heated topic and evaluate the pros and cons. (02/05/2007)



• Pension Portability — Whether you are for it or against it, AASA wants you to have the information you need regarding pension portability. We have established a database on pension portability by state for your use.  Don’t leave town for that new superintendency before consulting it! (8/17/2006)



• Emergency Preparedness — Is your school district prepared for weather-related emergencies, such as hurricanes and flooding? (6/30/2006)