Explores the role of academic departments within contemporary comprehensive high schools. Argues for further research acknowledging secondary schools as fundamentally different from elementary schools. Department specialization and differentiation are key elements in understanding differences. A two-stage exploratory study shows that departments…

This report reveals that about 100 Chicago schools suffer from chronically high rates of teacher turnover, losing a quarter or more of their teaching staff every year, and many of these schools serve predominantly low-income African American children. In the typical Chicago elementary school, 51 percent of the teachers working in 2002 had left…

This paper examines a project involving teams of teachers, school administrators, and district-level people from Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) member schools. The CES is a high school reform movement devoted to strengthening the learning of students by reforming each school's priorities and simplifying its structure. The common principles…

De-departmentalizing the high school into smaller integrated quads would make possible the necessary frequent review and revision of the curriculum and facilitate change with greater ease. Inflexibility could give way to creativity and provide a humanistic environment to meet the needs of adolescents. (Author)

Analyzes the scheduling process in four San Francisco Bay Area high schools as a study of stratification. Finds that the processing of clients takes precedence over the delivery of educational services, especially for the less advantaged. (DM)

A nationwide study of 500 schools showed that attending an effectively organized high school is worth an extra year's achievement over the course of one's high-school career. Only student aptitude trumped school organization as an achievement influence. Productive schools stress sound planning, people and program development, and accountability.…

Before diving into a change effort, principals should involve others in surveying the landscape, assessing the school's strengths, and identifying those responsible for past successes. Principals must then adopt an attitude of increased expectations; allow for comprehensive, meaningful planning; and commit to a continuous-improvement process. (MLH)

Author surveyed how far comprehensive reorganisation has progressed in Wales. (Editor/RK)

Barriers to change in secondary schools discussed in this article include: an organizational framework appropriate to business, not education; the subtle effect upon teachers of being low in status vis a vis the larger society; and monies for education being a low priority among our state and national decision makers. (JH)

In Las Vegas, Nevada, a complete high school program available during early evening hours provides double use of facilities and new opportunities for students. (Author)

Reviews research on the effectiveness of supportive leadership, teacher participation in decision making, and staff collaboration. Investigates conditions that promote or impede the implementation of these practices by using a multilevel statistical model. Finds significant variance between public and Catholic schools, as well as within-school…

Author considered the question of school size and its effect upon the individual learner or teacher. (Author/RK)

The design and implementation of a rotating class schedule which was put into effect in the Charlo High School, Charlo, Montana in September 1969 is discussed in this paper. The schedule, described in this report, consists of a 75-minute period followed by 2, 60-minute periods in the morning and 4, 45-minute afternoon periods. The program…