De-departmentalizing the high school into smaller integrated quads would make possible the necessary frequent review and revision of the curriculum and facilitate change with greater ease. Inflexibility could give way to creativity and provide a humanistic environment to meet the needs of adolescents. (Author)

Before diving into a change effort, principals should involve others in surveying the landscape, assessing the school's strengths, and identifying those responsible for past successes. Principals must then adopt an attitude of increased expectations; allow for comprehensive, meaningful planning; and commit to a continuous-improvement process. (MLH)

Some relationships between high schools and their parent districts are similar to those between individual business enterprises and their parent companies. This article reviews several factors enhancing the success of these relationships in business and draws implications for high school organization. Leadership, organizational autonomy, and…

This paper discusses the merits of developing a high school semester time-table, or schedule, as the final planning stage in the educational process. Such a schedule would provide a weekly breakdown list of all academic subjects, grade levels, teachers for each subject and grade, rooms, laboratories and other facilities, and resources, thereby…

Familiar high school problems include unprepared and apathetic students, inadequate teachers' salaries and benefits, and outmoded grade-level systems. Improvement requires new schooling models including clearer goals, advancement linked to skills mastery, promotion of thinking skills, less fragmented school time, elimination of age-grading, less…

Higher order thinking can be defined as interpreting, analyzing, and manipulating information to solve a challenging problem. This definition does not restrict higher order thinking to any level of cognitive ability or any class of people; it includes thinking involving both nonacademic and academic topics; and it is not limited to any particular…

Examines the problems associated with maintaining ordinary senior middle schools (high schools) in China. Focuses specifically on the difficulties of paying equal attention to vocational and college preparatory programs. (BSR)

Proposes that the organizational transition period of a school's restructuring requires special attention and that major responsibility for transition management should rest with teachers. Illustrates the dilemmas and frustrations of the transition period with a fictional case. Discusses special demands on the organization, teacher leadership for…

From his 20 years experience in modeling a comprehensive school according to genuinely comprehensive principles, the author gives a considered statement of his objectives and experiences. (This article is part of a theme issue on comprehensive education in Britain.) (Editor/SJL)

The trend away from closed teaching systems and toward open learning systems between 1965 and 1975 led to the introduction of a number of isolated innovations in Regis High School, a Catholic school in New York City. To provide a sense of coherence and direction to these changes, the faculty designed a comprehensive model for program development…

Previews the findings of "A Study of High Schools," cosponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Commission on Educational Issues. Offers overall impressions of field visits to high schools and suggests eight principles by which high schools should be restructured. (JW)

As suggested by standard indicators--truancy, dropout rates, graffiti, vandalism, violence--youngsters in small schools rarely display the anger at the institution and its inhabitants that typifies Columbine and many other comprehensive high schools. Educators must cultivate learning communities and qualities (like empathy and compassion)…

Describes the process and preparation for making teacher-requested changes at Notre Dame High School (New Jersey). Narrates the planning that went into making the change to block scheduling, which includes an activity period and double-period class schedule, and discusses the impact of that change on in-service preparation for teachers. Concludes…

This report expands on earlier research that found evidence of strong links between school restructuring and improved learning among students in the first 2 years of high school. This report, based on 1992 National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) data, analyzes data collected for most of the same students in their last 2 years of high school.…

Horizon High School combats student dropout rates in Bakersfield (California) by maintaining a small enrollment, high community involvement, close student-teacher relationships, flexible scheduling, and attention to individual students' educational needs and interests. Student attendance, graduation rates, and standardized test scores are…