Graduation rates for high school students across the country have long been a focus for educators and policy makers. More specifically, graduating students with disabilities has consistently been a greater challenge for school districts. School leadership is complex and special education presents school leaders with an even greater challenge in an…

For much of the last two decades, beginning with the passage of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in 2002, the top political leaders have shown concern about children stuck in failing public schools. NCLB required districts to do something -- not enough, but something -- about those schools. Millions of children still languish in low-performing schools,…

The rationale for taking bold action on the nation's persistently failing schools can be summed up in one dramatic and disturbing statistic: half of the young Americans who drop out of high school attend just 12 percent of the nation's schools. Ending the cycle of failure at schools is a daunting challenge and a surprisingly controversial one.…

"Education Matters" is the monthly newsletter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), an organization dedicated to advancing the American teaching profession through personal growth, professional development, teacher advocacy and protection. This issue of the newsletter includes: (1) 21st Century Retro: For All the Emphasis on…

To test R. E. Callahan's (1962) theory about superintendents' vulnerability to interest groups, the career of E. C. Hartwell is examined. Hartwell's career in three cities (1914-22) demonstrates the power that a superintendent could acquire and wield. (SLD)

Although it is unreasonable to expect the schools to build a new social order, nonetheless the humanizing of education in the pluralistic American tradition is a legitimate and worthy goal. The people who run our schools must lead the way. Too many educational leaders, however, have been unwilling or unable to make difficult decisions that seemed…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This April 30, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Why Michigan State Opted Out" (Eddington-Shipman, Richard); (2)…