An Update from the Editor R. Morgan Pigg, Jr.

n our commitment to provide professionals with

addresses the array of issues confronting school-age children, we continue to respond to the recommenda- tions from our readers. Initial reactions from Journal readers and authors indicate you are pleased with the new format and with the other changes implemented in the January 1986 issue. At this time, I would like to bring you up to date on several matters related to the Journal and explain two changes we are imple- menting in this issue.

First, we will publish periodically a new feature entitled “Literature Abstracts.” Compiled by the Journal’s Assistant Editors, this feature will include current, concise, readable abstracts of literature from other publications. This month’s section includes information on dyslexia, characteristics of earache among children with acute otitis media, and attention deficits in childhood. Assistant Editors Dick Adams, Jim Neutens, and Dorothy Oda, and Editorial Assistant Laura Kann, help provide services that otherwise would not be possible, and they continue to be instrumental in the resurgence of our Journal.

Second, we will indicate, at the end of the author identification block on unsolicited manuscripts, the date the manuscript was submitted, whether or not it was revised, and the date of acceptance. Timelines are critical in publishing a professional journal, and we feel it is important for you to know we are perform- ing adequately as caretakers of manuscripts submitted to the Journal. Incidentally, both these changes resulted from reader suggestions.

Several measures are helping the editorial staff improve its service. A new manuscript management system allows us to monitor manuscript flow more closely and keep turn-around times reasonable. The peer review panel continues to provide exemplary service in evaluating manuscripts, thereby contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Our peer reviewers are one of the Journal’s most valuable resources. Also, most manuscripts now conform to the new guidelines, indicating authors are aware of the recent format changes. Finally, the editorial department has a new document scanner that scans printed material directly into the computer, significantly reducing keyboard time. R. Morgan Pigg, Jr., HSD, MPH, FASHA, Editor, Journal of School Health, P .O. Box 708, Kent, OH 44240, and Professor, Dept. of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomingion, IN 47405.

I an informative and responsive journal that Work continues on two major Journal projects. A

comprehensive evaluation of the peer review system should be completed this fall. I will report the results of the evaluation following its completion. Also, planning continues for a computerized author-subject index and retrieval system for material published in the Journal since 1930. Much work remains, but the project has enormous potential for readers, authors, and researchers.

The quality of manuscripts submitted to the Journal has improved noticeably in the past several months. However, we always need good manuscripts, both from the United States and overseas, so consider the Journal first when you or your colleagues are planning a publication. We especially encourage the master teachers among the readership to submit innovative manuscripts for the “Teaching Techniques” section. Also, the “Bulletin Board” is under used. Submit an item today and help use this free service to its fullest potential.

While we do not solicit publicly for the “Profes- sional Profile” feature, we would be happy to con- sider nominees for this section. Response to the pro- file section has been overwhelmingly positive and we plan to continue it. For example, Esther Ryan, RN, Barberton (Ohio) High School, School Nurse, was recognized by the entire high school when it was announced over the school public address system that she had been profiled in the April 1986 issue. The school superintendent distributed a copy of the profile to every school board member and she received a supportive call from some community health nurses in North Carolina.

The editorial staff genuinely appreciates your sup- port and expressions of encouragement concerning its work. Progress has been made, but we still have many goals to accomplish. Our purpose remains unchanged. We are committed to providing courteous, efficient service to our readers and authors. If we fail in either regard, notify me immediately and we will correct the problem.

Journal of School Health August 1986, Vol. 56, No. 6 209