Article describes how the Amish resist modern education for a religious reason and fear the loss of their cohesive spiritual tradition, but the government wishes to impose compulsory high school education upon them. (Author/MM)

William Channing Woodbridge led a movement to incorporate vocal music in the Boston public schools. A model of the political process underlying this movement generated hypotheses about the political process underlying public school music innovations in politico-organizational environments where executive responsibility for public education is…

Emphasizes the role of the teachers union in the move from decentralization to centralization of educational administration in Japan. (Editor/RK)

Presents findings of research into the role of church nominees on school governing bodies in Northern Ireland, based on data from a wider 3-year study of school ethos and governance. Recent legislative, societal, and attitudinal changes may erode church nominees' power on school governing boards. (Contains 30 references.) (MLH)

Describes efforts to implement standards-based reform in the Houston School District using both a top-down and a bottom-up approach, where local schools were allowed considerable autonomy in achieving reform, but given direction, training, and resources by the district. (PKP)

This qualitative multi-site case study examines Kentucky's female superintendents: their professional work, identity, and entry to the role. Data sources were extensive interviews from twelve districts--superintendents, central office administrators, and school board members, plus questionnaires and district documents. Results revealed a web-like…

This article recounts the battle in the "math wars" that took place in Massachusetts, United States in 1999-2000 over the scope, content and teaching of the state's K-12 mathematics curriculum. Harsh controversies arose between the partisans of a "reform-math" movement stressing an undefined "conceptual understanding"…

Superintendents and school boards must work together to improve schools and student academic performance. In an attempt to improve often dismal school system performance, several states passed laws over the past decade changing certification requirements for superintendents, effectively permitting anyone, however trained, to become superintendent…

This is a mystery story. It is about a district that apparently did the right things but seemed not to get commensurate results across all classrooms and schools. In this article, we look closely at the details and discover an important lesson about districtwide reform. The district is York Region District School Board, which is a large…

This bulletin explores the roles that various stakeholders have in systemic reform and offers some recommendations for action. Data were derived from a review of research on systemic education reform and interviews with four Oregon administrators. Chapter 1 provides a sampling of the diverse groups that are calling for reform and offers some of…

The Division of Teacher Education (DTE) at Indiana University, Bloomington, explored ways in which the university could better serve American public schools under a program funded by the United States Office of Education. This document, the final report, includes a description of activities and evaluation efforts, and recommendations for future…

In part 1 of this article (EJ 159 850) it was shown how Lady Simon and other members of the Spens Committee were concerned that the hope expressed by the Hadow Committee (1926) for equalization of conditions in all forms of post-primary education should not be left unfulfilled. Here Lady Simon's concern that progress towards "equality"…

Examines gains and deficiencies in American education since the publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983. Highlights priority concerns such as dropouts and marginally skilled graduates, urges renewed commitment to curricular development and federal aid programs, outlines administrator and school board roles, and offers 12…