The last 10 years have been a distinctive decade in American education. There was much argument for change in the 1950s, but it was Sputnik that sparked action in the field of education. The assumption at that time was that if the U.S. was technologically "behind," the schools were to blame. Federal funds for schools began as an "emergency"…

Middle school principals must continue to provide leadership for staff development programs. As the instructional leader of the middle school, the principal faces the challenge of assisting both new and experienced teachers in developing teaching strategies that are consistent with the characteristics and needs of transescent students. At the same…

This paper is a report of the proceedings and a synthesis of discussion from a conference on the state of basic skills in American education held in Racine, Wisconsin, in April 1977. The participants were national education leaders, including specialists in different curriculum areas, legislators, public school administrators, and leaders from…