The purpose of this study was to compare the science achievement and high school completion rates of students in a large high school implementing professional learning community concepts and practices with two large high schools not participating in professional learning community concepts and practices. The primary methodology employed was a…

Evidence indicates that the quality of a high school English department directly depends upon the effectiveness of the departmental organization. Despite the dangers of fragmenting and departmentalizing knowledge, some organization must be established for departmental work to be carried out. Among the variables which influence the organization and…

A survey of science and English teachers in 10 Scottish secondary schools indicated a complex relationship between a teacher's identity as a subject expert, subject department boundaries, and authority relationships. Teachers felt they had little influence on general school policies. (f=fiche numbers). (CP)

Educational technology is a tool that can be used to support both curriculum development and the efficient delivery of relevant instruction. However, it must be incorporated into the educational environment as both a tool for learning and as a resource if teachers are to prepare students to successfully meet the challenges of the future. One such…

Two education professors conducting research on the curriculum planning at a high school near Boise (Idaho) found that their status as observer and/or participant in discussions among teachers, administrators and parents made things more difficult. Usually in ethnography it is assumed that the hard part is to achieve insider status--to be accepted…

Responses from 72 of 250 high schools found that only 2 schools offered a course on international business. Recommendations to state departments of education and business teacher education programs include developing curriculum, providing resource people, offering workshops, and disseminating resources. (JOW)

Suggestions for teacher-oriented supervision of classroom practices, development of new courses, and grading and assignment policies are discussed. (HTH)

Discusses two propositions and two policies governing site-based management and the curriculum specialist role. The principal's role is changing from building manager to instructional leader. The role of department head or curriculum specialist is not clearly defined in the literature. However, the central office expert will no longer dispense…

Teacher leadership plays a significant role in the professional culture of many schools across the country, according to principals who value it. This is the major conclusion from a survey and telephone interviews conducted by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL). While limited in scope, the study confirms the contributions of teacher…

Describes the physics teaching conditions at Solihull Sixth Form College, a comprehensive secondary school in the County Borough of Solihull, United Kingdom. Available physics course, timetable, teaching system, laboratories and study rooms, and future developments are also discussed. (HM)

This paper examines the role of individuals in positions of responsibility (POR) during the implementation of two different curriculum innovations: curriculum integration and performance-based assessment. In addition to addressing the lack of knowledge of department heads' role in implementing innovations, the report explores the effectiveness of…

Subject departments form the primary organizational unit of the high school. The chapters in this book illuminate the ways in which departments shape the views and practice of individual teachers, serve as a locus of professional community, and express institutional and social values. The book examines the implications of subject affiliation and…

This paper presents four case studies in which high school department chairs fulfill instructional leadership roles more commonly associated with principals and assistant principals. The study explores specific instructional leadership practices and factors contributing to the establishment and fulfillment of the position; and it determines to…

PROMINENT HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH CHAIRMEN AND CONSULTANTS AT TWO CONFERENCES AGREED UPON A STATEMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE ENGLISH CHAIRMAN WHICH STRESSED THE CHAIRMAN AS A SUBJECT SPECIALIST WITHIN THE SCHOOL WHO IS ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITY FOR COORDINATING INSTRUCTION. FOURTEEN PAPERS WERE PREPARED FOR THE FIRST 3-DAY CONFERENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF…

This document reviews some of the facets of the Department of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Department has a long tradition of involvement with high school teaching and high school teachers. The scheduling and programming activities of the Department are complex inasmuch as a range of courses must be made available…