In 2002, Early College High Schools Initiative became a reality across the United States for students and educators looking for ways to improve student graduation rates, college attendance, and overall student achievement. This mixed method case study found that (a) the early college high school environment supported the academic success of…

School change efforts to develop schools as learning communities result in schools that are constantly learning and thus changing. This collective case study of four schools involved in a 4-year reform effort begins to examine the ongoing sustainability of a learning community. The study draws insights about the sustainability of learning…

Many talented beginning teachers leave the profession in the first 2 years. The author explores the reasons and presents a plan for principals to follow to help retain beginning teachers. (MD)

An "inquiry school" is described here as one undergoing renewal by systematically inquiring into its behavior and purposes. Both teaching and administration are open to challenge. The writer discusses several factors critical to developing simultaneous challenge and trust among all segments of a school's population. (Editor)

This article explores what it takes to develop systemic strategies and structures that engage youth as coconstructors of their learning environment and experience. It looks at efforts nationwide to engage young people in educational change endeavors, draws on lessons learned from a national high school reform initiative, and addresses some…

Perceiving the need for change and then wanting to change are not enough, proclaims this writer, who suggests that schools recruit and assign a person full time to facilitate the change process while working with teachers. She describes the situation and the person. (Editor)

The authors suggests that educational change, like all societal change, takes place as a result of policies interacting with the environment. He explains why some environments are more receptive to change than others. (Editor)

Assesses the development of schools over the past 10 years in the terms introduced by Charles Reich's "The Greening of America." (JW)

Legislators, school boards, and district administrators proposing more changes affecting schools and the principal's role should realize that many principals have little capacity to assume additional duties. Time constraints and external priorities are converting principals from instructional leaders to managers, while increasing their role's…

First of two articles that review 16 major research studies of secondary education in the United States during the early eighties. The purposes, assumptions, and methodologies of the studies are examined here. A later article will cover other aspects of the research. (Author/MLF)

Takes a hard look at middle-level education--where it has been, where it is, and where it should be going. (Editor/RK)

Meaningful and lasting school improvement can only occur in an appropriate climate and must be characterized by commitment, solid research about collaborative working styles and outcome-based education, and stable leadership. Leaders in the school improvement process should be constantly prepared to deal with the unexpected. Includes three…

Principals can improve the academic climate of their schools by setting educational objectives and eliminating extracurricular programs hindering their realization. Recommendations include scheduling extracurricular activities outside the school day, minimizing noninstructional uses of class time, and restructuring administration to allow…

The writer presents a distillation of observations from her 100-page notebook that reflects what's happening in China's schools. (Editor/RK)

Schools should strive to create an environment in which students' self-worth and identification with the accomplishments of their heritage provide them with a positive foundation for future success. An acceptance of cultural diversity can be achieved through curriculum infusion, integration, and realignment. Schools should reflect the worth and…