The poor performance of students in America's urban high schools, both in absolute terms and in comparison with their more economically secure counterparts in suburban schools, is a critical issue for the country, and the opportunity for all students to learn mathematics has been heralded as the new "civil right." In a recent study of…

Four small Connecticut school systems demographically different but similar in size have established a consortium to minimize the effects of declining enrollment by sharing their students, teachers, and resources. Despite such obstacles as scheduling and transportation costs, the consortium has generally proven successful. (JBM)

Offers reasons why public schools should cooperate with local families educating their children at home: opposing home schooling is rarely fruitful; supporting home schoolers can improve public relations; home schooling offers otherwise unobtainable insights into child learning; and home-schooled students participating in district programs may…

The variety of educational organizations and their obsessions is awesome; however, because of the common enemy, the Reagan administration, the lobbyists representing the education associations have become adept at putting aside their differences. (Author/MLF)

Since 1988, National Center for School Leadership at University of Illinois has systematically explored what school leaders can do to enhance classroom teaching and student learning. Articles in this section focus on NCSL findings and illuminate connections between leadership and reform. Researchers assumed leadership is multidimensional, student…

With physical facilities in every neighborhood offering unique citizen access, public schools must be major players in collaborative initiatives to provide more flexible, comprehensive, and coordinated services to needy children and families. School board leadership will be vital to any efforts to develop alternative governance structures and/or…

Since 1988, the Jose Valdes Summer Math Institutes have helped some 4,800 (mostly minority) students get a running start on their high school careers. The program consists of four main elements: intensive math instruction for students, training for teachers, parent education, and a student support program. (MLH)

Two assessment agencies, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in the U.S. and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), provide the most promising framework for comparing U.S. education with education in other nations. These agencies can cooperate to resolve technical issues and make data…

Introduces four articles based on an Education Commission of the States study that identified political and demographic elements interacting to improve schools and the states' role in the change process. Discusses several conditions critical to developing successful improvement programs, including political, monetary, and technical support. (MLH)

Describes the Southwest Texas Program for Improving Basic Skills Instruction in the Secondary Schools. It promotes a thoughtful, inquiry-oriented dialog between a university and six participating schools that encourages teachers to become more effective decision-makers. (MD)

By 1985, this article reports, up to 40 states will require some form of teacher recertification. Based on a survey of state education departments and colleges of education, data are presented on recertification, and provisions for district-planned preparation, in the 50 states. (MCG)

A new cooperative program jointly designed by Philadelphia school principals and University of Pennsylvania faculty members allows principals the opportunity to earn graduate degrees while studying educational theory in the context of their own practical experiences. (JBM)

Describes basic concepts, learner-centered educational objectives, and interagency aspects of ES'70, a comprehensive nationwide R & D program applying the systems approach to the improvement of secondary education. (JK)

Houston (Texas) public schools have been declared officially desegregated. After trying many desegregation methods with varying degrees of success, the school district has used magnet schools in conjunction with majority-to-minority transfers as its primary desegregation tool. Attention has also focused on equal facilities, staff stability, and…