British comprehensive schools have been criticized by the left for failing to provide equality for everyone and by the right for sacrificing academic standards for equality. Such simultaneous criticisms suggest that the schools have been assigned either impossible or contradictory objectives, but have managed to achieve a reasonable compromise.…

Examines the functions and relationship of school principals and librarians. Discusses the changing roll of school libraries since the 1960s. Explores problems of implementing a new school library. Discusses the librarian's position in the school's organizational structure. Notes that principals must recognize and support the school library…

Seven theses are proposed concerning the nature of knowledge, the knower, opinion, learning, truth, the organization of disciplines, and the nature of the university. Systematics, the study of classification, has guided the organization of the university through the disciplines since Plato. (MSE)

Introduces an issue of "Educational Administration Quarterly" that reviews recent developments in educational administration studies. Summarizes trends since the 1960s and suggests that research in the 1980s will focus on school effects, motivational processes, and social models of organization and will involve greater integration of…

The author considers various perspectives on the qualities that distinguish the Catholic school and make it a better place for education. She outlines ideals for Catholic schools presented by Vatican Council II and by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. (SJL)

A case study of an innovative comprehensive school in Britain revealed both traditional and progressive tendencies in the headmaster's and the school's goals. The researchers label this duality the Janus Syndrome. The article concludes that the traditional and progressive can coexist to the benefit of all concerned. (Author/WD)

Educational change requires recognition that education is a trilateral process that involves parents, teachers, and students. Also required is a redefinition of administration that will free the education practitioners. (Author/MLF)

Focuses on the 1950s as years of political restoration of higher educational policy in the Federal Republic of Germany. Higher education institutions were restored in their organizational structure in accordance with the constitution and the traditional academic spirit. Organizational needs of the future are outlined. (KC)

The author asserts that, in both the junior high school movement and the more recent middle school movement, the ninth grade was considered expendable. He suggests that it is time to resolve the bothersome questions as to whether the ninth grade belongs in the junior or senior high school. (SJL)

Refutes an article that appeared in the August issue of "The American School Board Journal," which argued that middle-level education provides a rationale for consolidating rural schools. Presents research findings and describes the middle-level philosophy to show that developmentally responsive middle-level schools do not foster school…

Applauds Anne Raywid's critique of the ASCD's "Public Schools of Choice" monograph in the same "Educational Leadership" issue for advocating the revitalization of public schools and the creation of more democratic governance structures. However, parental choice will be meaningless unless school norms and teacher-student work relationships are…

Despite ongoing school improvement efforts, there are more factors at work to stabilize schools than to change them. Stabilizing factors pervade school organization, curriculum context, unadventuresome textbooks, teacher isolation, and standardized testing practices. Educational innovation is predicated on change in form, content, and goals and…

Argues that the divisive departmental structure of American universities and the resulting torpidity and negative attitudes among faculty are limiting the capacity of universities to transmit culture to their students. (DMM)

The government-funded studies in this special "Kappan" section show that changing one aspect of the educational system is extraordinarily difficult. The system is allergic to change, teachers are inadequately prepared, and attitudes are key to the intractability problem. Cooperative and productive learning should be overarching concerns.…

Argues that fieldworkers' difficulties in gaining access to public schools for research can be resolved by examining the schools' organizational logic. Compares public and religious schools to show how access problems and strategies to overcome them vary with schools' organizational features. Offers examples from research conducted at midwestern…