This paper describes a secondary school in Baltimore, Maryland, and presents a chronological account of how the school developed and implemented course registration and grade reporting procedures. The school aims at (1) providing "focused flexibility" to the students, enabling them to select among quarterly offerings of courses; and (2)…

This review surveys documents previously cited in RIE that deal with the concept, the accompanying controversy, programs in operation, and several models for implementation and evaluation. Also included are a discussion of the problems in adopting such organizational and role changes and a list of bibliographies on differentiated staffing. Thirty…

To meet the changing needs of its young people, Atlanta Public Schools searched for an organizational structure that would (1) permit more flexibility and individualization of instruction; (2) allow pupils to take one course, two courses, or a combination of courses and activities; (3) permit a wider selection of options; and (4) expand the school…

The paper presents an evaluation to determine the effectiveness of small student learning groups and, moreover, to identify factors that contribute to small group learning in the overall flexible modular plan. Fifteen schools comprising a total of 91 small groups using flexible modular schedules participated in the study. Techniques to determine…

This document reports the experiences of organizational development specialists and compares organizational development with two other change strategies. Organizational development aims to increase the effectiveness of task groups in schools by teaching them how to communicate clearly, use systematic methods to solve problems, draw out and use…

The more schools seem to change, the more they deepen old ruts--a discussion of social scientists' ideas for innovations that tend not to be put into practice. (MM)

Over the past 6 years, 28 states have authorized the creation of charter schools as an alternative form of public education. This policy brief examines the goals and implementation issues specifically related to teaching and learning. It presents findings of a study that explored how learning communities were created and sustained in 17 charter…

Examines processes that maintain stability in educational organizations and the reaction of those stabilizing forces to educational innovations. Suggests that the success of innovations for school improvement depends on the development of (1) instruction-related executive functions; (2) collegial teaching units; (3) continuous staff development;…

Studies in five Missouri districts identified eight characteristics deterring change and constituting an "informal covenant" between teachers and principals. Eight corresponding conditions essential to change include relating changes to a school's culture, knowing local procedures and sensitive issues, recognizing moments when changes are…

Horizon High School combats student dropout rates in Bakersfield (California) by maintaining a small enrollment, high community involvement, close student-teacher relationships, flexible scheduling, and attention to individual students' educational needs and interests. Student attendance, graduation rates, and standardized test scores are…

This report contains the findings of the first year of a 2-year Hudson Institute study of U.S. charter schools, which focused on their startup problems, solutions to the problems, and the policy environments in which such schools are most likely to thrive or falter. Data during 1995-96 were derived from site visits to 35 charter schools, which…

This handbook describes the Edison Project, a private company that was formed in 1991 to establish partnerships with school districts across the United States. The Edison Project tailors Edison's school design to the local community's needs; upgrades school facilities and brings in sophisticated technology; takes responsibility for daily operation…

Italy's 1948 Constitution of the Republic reformed lower secondary education, making schooling compulsory for all citizens. This guide highlights the complex nature of the secondary education system in Italy. It provides information primarily about the upper secondary level of education, which consists of 3, 4, or 5 years of courses following the…

This paper describes the Accelerated Schools Project, which was begun at Stanford University in 1986 to improve schools for children caught in at-risk situations. The first sections describe the present deficiencies of schools serving at-risk students and the limitations of general reform proposals for educating at-risk youth. The Accelerated…

The understanding and management of the changes called for by fundamental restructuring are discussed in this sixth guidebook in a series of nine video conferences on school restructuring. Offered are a summary of school improvement over the last 30 years, a systems framework for individual and team changes, and strategies for organizational…