Gay youth enter high school with the knowledge that they are different and with the belief that heterosexuality is normal and that homosexuality is not normal. Also, gay youth enter high school with the belief that honesty and integrity are important personal values. Additionally, the gay youth enter high school without family knowledge of their…

Describes an alternative approach to teacher professional development that involves redesigning the school environment to enhance conditions that help teachers collaboratively reflect on, question, and change underlying beliefs and assumptions that guide their teaching practice. The paper examines teachers' learning needs, limitations of…

Presents an overview of Montessori versus traditional education programs. Focuses on differences of philosophy, curriculum, study, classroom environment, values, preparation for life, and productivity. Defines the major philosophical points of adaptation and development, and meaning. Addresses the Montessori perspective on elementary and the…

This article reports highlights of a four-year study, by the Center for Policy Research, of the planning and implementation of six innovative public schools. Most people who planned new school programs vastly underestimated the complexity of the enterprise. Dilemmas are outlined and illustrated. (Author/KC)

This paper describes trends in public elementary and secondary education in the United States. The data were obtained from the "Condition of Education" and the "Digest of Education Statistics," which are prepared annually by the National Center for Education Statistics. Information is presented on the following areas: enrollment, minority…

Discusses the history of schools of choice and their place within the current school reform efforts and Excellence Movement. Asserts that choice is an effective strategy for holding schools accountable for improving conditions for teachers and students and for paving the way for innovation. (CR)

In 1985 the Center for Educational Development (CED) and the Urban League began an initiative to improve the public schools in Rochester, New York. This was in response to growing concern and supporting evidence about young people dropping out of school and/or receiving an inadequate education. Task forces were convened to study the issues behind…

Urban schools are not, in and of themselves, the source of all the problems with respect to urban education. But 4.6 percent of public school districts enroll 46.3 percent of all the students in this country, and urban schools have a significant role to play in determining how well or how poorly America's youth are prepared to function in society.…

This paper presents an approach to the future role of public school language and speech specialists designed to make them indispensable to teachers and administrators. They should move away from the pull-out method of delivering services. Instead they should work directly with students in their classroom and consult or co-teach with regular and…

Most effective schools share a number of key characteristics, including clear-cut goals and objectives, adequate funding and financial management, quality academic programs, valid assessment programs, parent and family involvement, teacher and staff development, high expectations for students, community involvement, comprehensive support services,…

A naturalistic inquiry approach was used for the collection and interpretation of information on the 138 schools in the Portland, Oregon school system. This approach was an in-person, field based, investigative method, and was nonobtrusive. Factors studied included: description of the school and its setting; the school building and facilities;…

The extension of the professional base for public education is an important recent trend. There has developed an increased use of professional personnel for noninstructional services. The range of professions or services involved includes attendance, guidance, health programs, psychology, and social work. This publication deals primarily with…