A study of high school choice programs in four large cities (New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston) shows that meaningful school choice is beyond the reach of the most vulnerable innercity students. Educators considering such plans must recognize the dangers (like stacked admissions policies) raised for these youth. (MLH)

Administrators can help teachers avoid burnout by recognizing teaching efforts, advising without prescribing solutions, and treating all faculty in a collegial manner. Career ladders and testing have negatively affected teacher morale, whereas teacher empowerment through participative decision-making produces better results. (MLH)

Organizational transformation, rather than improvement, is fast becoming the focus as dynamic and energetic leaders open new frontiers in work life and productivity. Schools can move beyond tinkering with structures and processes by creating a vision of school greatness. Florida's and Minnesota's experiments with professional partnerships are…

Wheatley's 1992 bestseller, "Leadership and the New Science," argues that across scientific disciplines, our rational, systematic quest for order, control, stability, and predictability are yielding to a deeper appreciation for chaos, complexity, uncertainty, and change. In this interview, Wheatley shows how breakthroughs in biology,…

Given the pace and enormity of change affecting our lives, attacking problems piecemeal is ineffective. To avoid further chaos, school leaders must launch initiatives from a complete systemic shift. Tenure should be abolished. The shift to problem solving requires perspective, energy, and vision. This can happen only after administrators stop…

Common misconception is that only heroic, authoritative people can alter normal flow of a school or district to ensure all students learn successfully. Research shows effective schools and districts are led by individuals believing learning in democracy must be inclusive. Leader's vision cannot endure unless he or she can create critical mass of…

Character-education programs can be implemented without creating a political firestorm if planners carefully consider key process and content elements, including community involvement; core values; comprehensive, effective curricula; formal evaluation; prosocial behavior codes; communications; family outreach; and leadership from a knowledge base.…

At a 1992 meeting, 30 national leaders put aside differences and agreed on 6 character traits that should be taught in school, including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, justice and fairness, caring, and citizenship. Students are adrift because schools have abandoned the teaching of absolute moral values. Legal alternatives for…

The $300 billion-a-year public education market has many private investors salivating--until they confront the complexity of school management and teacher unions' resistance. Private companies want to shift the school board's role from sole proprietor to purchaser of educational services. Sidebars advise superintendents and describe 15 private…

Mary Jean LeTendre, director of U.S. Education Department's Office of Compensatory Education, wants to concentrate Chapter 1 dollars on the neediest students in the neediest schools. John F. Jennings, general counsel for the House Education and Labor Committee, predicts more public education funding, a continuing push for national standards and…

As school choice becomes more prevalent, competition among school districts for new students is increasing. School districts are using various sales tools, including paid advertisements, professional marketers, bookmarks, and billboards to market their schools. This article discusses divisive tactics, equity concerns, parent frustrations, and…

If saving lives were our only moral concern, distributing condoms in schools is not the best way to proceed. Abstinence has greater life-saving power than any piece of latex. School condom distribution promotes casual, promiscuous sex, ignores this contraceptive's failure rate, and runs counter to sound educational policy. Deferred gratification…

Religious fundamentalists are joining forces with taxpayers, senior citizens, and other conservatives to win seats on local and state school boards and reshape educational policy. School board elections offer an easy entry to politics. Christian fundamentalists target multicultural curricula, independent thinking activities, sex and AIDS…

Parents object to outcome-based education because it rejects the basics, subject-matter knowledge, and individual achievement and emphasizes vague, subjective goals. The Eagle Forum president's major objections to OBE are its "dumbing-down" effect, "feel good" emphasis, antiphonics commitment, stress on politically correct…

Name of Bush Administration's choice game is publicly financed vouchers allowing those already sending their children to private and parochial schools to avoid tuition fees at taxpayer expense. Although private schools administer entrance exams, public schools accept every child regardless of academic record, status, or race. U.S. Senate recently…