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May/June 2004

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IASB Publications
2921 Baker Drive
Springfield 62703
217/528-9688, extension 1131

• Exploring upriver for NCLB success
  by Robert Capriccioso
  Early childhood programs that target learning before students begin testing to meet No Child Left Behind requirements may hold the key to raising achievement.

• Concessions, rewards can be healthy, too
  by Linda Dawson
  As states consider new legislation that would further regulate carbonated beverage sales at school, manufacturers are poised to fight back with calls for moderation, not elimination, and dollars to back up their stance.

• Cafeterias must balance nutrition, cost and more
  by James Russell
  The National School Lunch Program is nearly 60 years old and school cafeterias serve 4.7 billion meals a year. But does the program help or hinder the fight against childhood obesity?

• Dreamer's reflection: Brown v. Board at 50
  by Jacqueline Y. Collins
  Dreams backed with courage and commitment won the Brown v. Board court case, but it will take renewed commitment to keep the dream of equality alive
  Sidebar: A passion for education

• Funding flunks: Politics key to raising the grade
  Eight experts who deal with Illinois school finances in a variety of ways answer questions about a funding system that drew the lowest grade in Education Weeks' most recent "Quality Counts" report.
  Sidebar: Answering the questions
  Sidebar: How budget reductions change an organization

• 'Watch lists' to profiles: How Illinois reviews school district finances
  by Brad Colwell
  The Illinois State Board has had financial oversight of school districts for a number of years, but the Financial Profile System is different than it used to be.
  Sidebar: What constitutes 'in financial difficulty'?
  

• Practical PR - Common sense PR simplifies finance
  by Barbara Banker
  

• More to teaching than tests can tell
  by Debbie Silver
  The current emphasis on testing misses some crucial aspects in teaching relationships that can help ensure success for students.

• Boiler Room
  by Richard Smelter
  In this issue, the author puts aside his alter ego of "Gus the janitor" to comment on the school funding as a national disgrace.