Balancing theory, administration, and practice, Newport News (Virginia) public schools achieved a smooth transition to middle school organization. (Author)

A review of models of group and organization life cycle development is provided and the applicability of those models for institutions of higher education are discussed. An understanding of the problems and characteristics present in different life cycle stages can help institutions manage transitions more effectively. (Author/MLW)

The author, who conducted a study of 18 New England academies, shares some of his findings and some insights on the role of the academy in today's society. (Author)

The author defends his position that American schools fail to socialize students to democratic values. Available from The American Political Science Association, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036. (IRT)

The issue of retrenchment as an organizational adaptation to changing conditions is discussed here in relation to four interrelated policy questions: What is the economic future of schooling? What economic assumptions underlie the institutional model of school organization? How could economics be interpreted in terms of a human investment model of…

Presents a reader quiz on attitudes about school administration. Analyzes likely responses to the quiz and concludes that the assumption that schools are rational, bureaucratic organizations leads to rigidity and confusion because it does not accurately describe schools as they exist. Argues for pluralism in organizational views. (WD)

Schools are managed with the wrong organizational model in mind. They are unique and cannot be governed by conventional management theory. This article describes schools as loosely coupled systems and describes what school administrators should be doing to be effective in such a situation. (Author/WD)

Addresses arguments about the "hidden curriculum" of the schools and outlines the conflict between democratic politics and "the basic shape of schooling." Available from The American Political Science Association, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036. (IRT)

Contends that public relations and advertising curriculums should be taken out of journalism/mass communication and/or business schools, and positioned as separate entities. (SR)

Single-sex education describes a diverse range of situations, including individual classes, programs after school, required programs, voluntary programs, and programs to remedy gender inequities and encourage cultural and racial pride. This brief addresses the genesis and legality of single-sex classrooms, the merits and critiques of single-sex…

Looks at both the eight-four and the middle school plans of school organization and concludes that the latter is preferable, since it represents a spark of reform within the status quo. (FL)

Middle schools in St. Louis (Missouri) were implemented in 1980. Evaluation measures indicate better student attendance and higher scores on achievement tests, fewer discipline referrals, and fewer student suspensions. (MLF)

Examines the Swedish school as an institution created by society for certain purposes and with certain functions. The authors offer a model which describes the school as a social organization that steers the educational process. (AM)

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)

Challenges current orthodoxy of school organizations and seeks to extend the current debate about distributed leadership. Offers an inclusive view of teacher leadership. Focuses on learning-centered development in which teachers act strategically to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Includes illustrative cases and proposals for…