To create genuine teaching/learning environments, educators must use "pragmatic idealism" to balance disparate educational elements. A newly transformed Virginia middle school welcomes students at school entrances, has eliminated bells and tracking, uses a team teaching approach, holds numerous award assemblies, and incorporates plenty…

More high schools are experimenting with block schedules to provide longer class periods and decrease faculty workload. Since a Colorado Springs high school adopted the new schedule in 1990, daily attendance, honor roll participation, college enrollments, and earned course credits are all higher. Benefits for schools in Maine, Illinois, Ohio,…