When students are hopeful, they do better in school and in life. Hopeful students have better grades and score higher on assessments. The Gallup Student Poll finds that about half of U.S. students are hopeful. Principals and other adults in a school should spread hope among students by creating excitement about the future, teaching students the…

Motivational factors affecting decisions to discontinue existing minicourse programs or to not consider the adoption of minicourse programs tend to be programmatic and administrative rather than philosophical. (Author/IRT)

Recent surveys of teachers and principals regarding their perceptions of professional development needs and preferred modes of delivery for inservice teacher education revealed similarities and discrepancies between the two groups. The findings indicated that joint development of inservice programs would be beneficial. (Author/WD)

A survey reveals that Alabama administrators know little about the Jewish religion and show small concern for the religious needs of those other than the predominantly Protestant groups of their communities. (Author/IRT)

A 1988 Johns Hopkins University survey of 1,753 principals from public schools serving seventh graders describes middle grade education in the United States. The 5 articles in this special section are intended to encourage discussion about ways to improve middle level educational practices and disclose new research directions. (MLH)

Non-Cognitive Assessment Survey is a 40-minute, anonymous survey that measures broad array of sixth through twelfth graders' behavior. Survey is easily administered and costs about $1 per student. A survey of nine elementary schools during 1990-91 revealed a wealth of information about school demography and student attitudes concerning homework,…

Responses of 352 principals surveyed on topics including courses taken by graduates by class ranking and anticipated outcomes of increased graduation requirements revealed a general concern that recommendations similar to those of "A Nation at Risk" might serve college-bound students at the expense of the less able. (MJL)