Inclusive schools have a cohesive sense of community open to differences and responsive to individual needs. This sense of community is disrupted by the practice of pulling out gifted children for special services. Inclusion involves changes in philosophy, curriculum, teaching strategy, and structural organization. Schools should embrace…

U.S. educational systems and schools are now organized primarily for student custody and administrative convenience. This article describes how to redesign schools to achieve better educational results by focusing on an outcomes-based paradigm, illustrated by the High Success program being tried in various high schools. Includes four figures and…

In its 1982 long-range school improvement plan, the Muhlenberg (Pennsylvania) School District targeted mathematical computation skills, focusing on (1) developing a management information system to document student achievement; (2) redesigning the curriculum; (3) aligning regular and remedial mathematics programs; and (4) implementing a…

Superintendents who introduce team management into school districts are compared to King Arthur and the Round Table and advised that team management will not endure, at least in its original form. (MLF)

A collaborative relationship among teachers, parents, students, and citizens can educate students more successfully than the present antilearning educational bureaucracy. (Author/MLF)

Current proclamations to reform schools with national examinations related to a national curriculum are a reflection of ignorance and destined to fail. We need to address educational improvement with seriousness and complexity and reconsider workplace structure, curriculum character, teaching practices, and the forms used to appraise our quality…

A study of instructional change in three schools reveals that a change strategy should take advantage of existing communication networks. Where there is little interdependence among teachers, administrators need to encourage its growth and replace the egg crate form of organization with arrangements that increase teacher interaction. (MLF)

Implications of the National Science Foundation Report on the status of science, mathematics, and social studies education. (Author)

Recent research shows that students at all grade levels, especially at-risk youngsters, learn more in small schools; small schools are more violence-free; and bonds created in small schools are likely to influence students' post-high-school behavior. Success is attributed to small schools' human scale, more willing students, more committed…

Discusses Peter Drucker's recommendations in "The Age of Discontinuity" (1969) concerning the decline of manual work, the ascendancy of knowledge work, and the relationship between economic stability and an educated, productive work force. Applies Drucker's principles to the movement to restructure schools, which aims to make line…

According to John Chubb's research, the more influence principals (relative to that of superintendents, district offices, unions, and school boards) had over hiring and firing teachers, curriculum decisions, instructional methods, and disciplinary policy the more effectively organized schools were likely to be. Chubb recommends a public education…

Based on societal, economic, and demographic trends (summarized in sidebars), this article forecasts an educational "ideascape" stressing active and service learning, higher cognitive skills, a past/present/future curriculum focus, lifelong learning, whole-person and transdisciplinary education, personalized learning, early childhood education,…

Dicusses the Staples Governing Board which was instituted at Staples High School, Westport, Connecticut, in order to give all members of the school community - students, teachers, and administrators, decision making powers. (DR)

The Edison Project will reconfigure time, deploy truly professional teachers, and utilize technologies in powerful new ways. Other Edison design highlights include its research basis; clear, defining values; high universal standards; five-domain curriculum; proven, individualized instructional methods; creative organization; true accountability;…

Small school size (fewer than 400 students) makes possible success-enhancing structures and practices: strong, ongoing student/adult and home/school relationships; flat organizational structure; concentration on a few goals; ongoing, site-specific professional development; a respectful culture; and community engagement. Implementation barriers are…