High school reform has now been on the national agenda long enough that people can begin reaching conclusions about the effectiveness of various approaches to it. This article discusses several strategies of high school reforms which includes: (1) improving school climate; (2) strengthening curriculum and instruction; (3) raising graduation…

Teleconferences are one method for improving the quality of schooling in rural communities. Among suggestions for enhancing teleconferencing are face-to-face meetings, familiarity with teleconference technology, and advance notice to students of materials to be examined in such courses. (PB)

Staff development as a transferable package of bite-sized knowledge pieces is outdated. To implement reform plans, teachers must be able to discuss, think about, try out, and hone new practices. Teachers can learn by observing children, adopting new subject-matter approaches, using strategies for learning together, integrating assessment with…

This principal developed a collaborative teacher evaluation process that is based on an evaluation procedure with clearly defined school goals and performance objectives. (MD)

Contends that staff development, supposedly designed to assist teachers, has instead colluded with forces to continue their colonization. Since teachers are not taking charge of their profession and participating actively in educational change, certain actions must be taken to lighten their nonprofessional workload and to build a professional…

Outlines a teacher incentive plan developed for the Jefferson County (Kentucky) Public Schools and scheduled for pilot testing during the 1987-88 school year. The program is modeled after airline frequent flyer programs and is designed to encourage cooperative action and individual incentive among teachers. (MD)

Local physical facilities and self-improvement programs organized and run by teachers for purposes of upgrading educational performance. (Author)

Although Rochester, New York, is a pioneer in teacher reform, change has been painfully slow. Pockets of success are not reflected in district statistics. The 1987 reforms directed at teachers were not far-reaching enough to ensure improved test scores, given continuing problems of large class sizes, crowded schools, students' increasing poverty,…

Summarizes recommendations for performance-based preparation and other changes initially made to the Fleischmann Commission. (Author)

Praises David Kearns' education recovery plan for acknowledging the plight of ill-served low income children, assigning an appropriate federal role, and attempting to spark debate among presidential candidates. Anticipates criticisms (blaming schools for putting the nation at economic risk, puzzling contradictions concerning school choice and…

Major inadequacies of "A Nation at Risk" include: the assumption of a monolithic American education system; the recommendation of a college preparatory curriculum for all students, which overlooks individual needs; a failure to address elementary education; underestimation of teachers; and the absence of practical suggestions for…

The videotape portion of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which captured "typical" mathematics instruction in Germany, the United States, and Japan, disclosed information about types of mathematics students encountered, teachers' role in developing concepts and lessons, and expectations for students. The…

A study of five Coalition of Essential Schools member high schools, each with different demographics but all involved in reform for at least seven years, yielded clues about effective whole-school reform strategies. Schools are more likely to succeed if they use continuous revisioning, adopt interconnected initiatives, deal directly with…

Reviews the types of teacher certification examinations and questions their validity and the procedures used for validating the tests. Includes references. (MD)