Suggests that educational systems have been structured by societies in a state of insufficient awareness; focuses on the issues of centralization, organizational structures, and the curriculum. Compares aspects of South Australian, English/Welsh, Greek, and North American secondary education systems. (MH)

By examining two suburban high schools (one in a wealthy White community and the other in a racially mixed working class community), explores the ways schools integrate adolescents into the economic system through a structured correspondence between the social relations of the school and those of production. (Author/GC)

This case study of the Toronto Board of Education's secondary system thoroughly analyzes barriers to implementing antiracist education in a large, ethnically diverse education district. Findings highlight implementation difficulties, including poor leadership, lack of minorities in key positions, informal resistance, and decentralized decision…

Analyzes data from the 1988 National Educational Longitudinal Study, which suggests that school policies and practices can reduce or exacerbate learning differences among students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Results indicated that schools organized around a communal mission with more holistic assessment fared better than…

Examines the efforts of an elementary private school principal to create a motivating school climate. Discusses four ecological principles: (1) the development of activities that recognize individuality and demand involvement and adaptation; (2) the expansion of resources to the whole school community; (3) the interdependence of activities at each…

Compares the effectiveness of public and private schools by analyzing trends in enrollments, organization, and graduation and college entrance. Policymakers need to address the growing public willingness to consider private alternatives in education. (BJV)

Traces the history of English prevocational education since 1870, examining four pieces of educational legislation. Outlines the recurring debate over the extent utilitarianism should define education. Focuses on political and economic requirements that fostered utilitarianism. Evaluates the act's technical and vocational education initiative. (CH)

Provides an overview of the issues shaping efforts to reform elementary education in the People's Republic of China. China's school organization and practices invite comparison with aspects of the U.S. system of elementary education. Enduring features of Chinese elementary education are discussed. (Author/BB)

Rethinking the middle-level schooling process means reevaluating curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices; addressing organizational structure and attendant issues (grade configuration, grouping patterns, and the master schedule); and examining staffing issues, particularly the teacher's role. The proof of the process lies in student…

Examines influence of various organizational constraints on nature of secondary school academic track decisions, which are categorized on basis of difference between actual and predicted program enrollment. Discusses factors such as who makes demands for an academic track, who controls the tracking process, what principals expect, degree of…

Reviews five dimensions (focus, scope, structure, process, and capacity) of an organizational design used by 20 New York districts planning for site-based management (SBM) implementation. The confusion surrounding devolution of decision making hinders districts' efforts to effect changes in intermediate variables (job satisfaction and staff…

Instructional leadership for principals is not a panacea for the ills of education. Efforts to alter principal practices to meet this poorly defined and poorly researched construct reflect a lack of self-reference in the educational field. More study and thought are needed before plans of action are imposed. (BJV)

The article describes the development and operation of a psychiatric hospital model school program which provides evaluation and teaching of behaviorally disordered, severely handicapped, and gifted children and adolescents during two months on the basis of six continua, prior to placement in regular or special classrooms. (MC)

Offers a range of perspectives on the national school reform movement as exemplified in the national commission reports. Presents articles providing a broad, comprehensive set of evaluations of reform, and more specific articles dealing with the real or potential impact of reform or explaining individual issues raised by the reports. (RDN)

San Francisco teachers and principals in low-performing schools receive one chance to repair things and are removed if they fail. Many closed schools have reopened with new staff. The paper describes school takeovers, discussing advantages and disadvantages of the method and opinions of various school officials and teachers. (SM)