Analyzes why, as the process of decision-making has been centralized by school bureaucracies, and as professional educators have gained power, public education has become a closed social institution neither accountable nor responsible to the citizens it serves. (JM)

Case study teaching provides a bridge between the world of theory and the world of practice. In addition, case teaching enhances students' analytical and problem-solving skills and gives students the opportunity to engage in shared problem solving. Undisguised cases have certain advantages as teaching tools. First, undisguised cases give case…

A growing number of school districts in the United States are introducing formative assessment systems to measure student skills in core subjects throughout the year. The underlying logic is that providing teachers with timely information on student skills will enable them to improve instruction and better prepare students to excel on high-stakes,…

This document summarizes results from a study concerning the ways in which telecommunications might be used to support school reform initiatives in Chicago, Illinois, particularly of Local School Councils (LSCs) and staff development activities across a sample of 283 schools. Results from the study suggest that telecommunications can be used to…

This report by the Superintendent of schools in Washington, D.C., describes the activities and progress of the school system for the year 1986-87. It is the 21st largest school district in the United States, and one of the most culturally diverse. Progress is reported on all levels, with particular attention to the computer literacy program, which…

As a starting point in exploring issues of how texts and discourses are affiliated with differing kinds and levels of cultural capital and social power in institutional contexts, this paper considers the experiences of the Hartford (Connecticut) school district to provide definitions of literacy, discourse, and textuality, and their application to…

Questions the effectiveness of decentralization of New York City school administration in delivering quality education because of local community boards' susceptibility to political pressure and patronage. (SF)

According to a survey of large school districts, the ratio of central office managers to students enrolled ranges from 1 administrator per 1,650 students to 1 administrator per 161 students. The average ratio was 1 administrator per 561 students. Western school districts appear most efficient. The ideal: 1 administrator per 1,000 to 1,200…

The $1 million Broad Prize in Urban Education is the nation's largest award in K-12 public education. The Broad Prize is given annually by The Broad Foundation in the form of scholarships to urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among ethnic…

Much of what ails urban education is actually the result of continuous or fragmentary reform efforts. A study of 57 school districts shows how political pressures drive reform, and suggests ways to nurture a more focused agenda for urban schools. The chapters are: (1) "The Politics of Urban School Reform"; (2) "Organizational and Personal…

Teacher questions and concerns regarding the implementation of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, were examined in visits to six local education agencies (LEAs). Types of LEAs visited included an eastern township, a southwest city, a midwest city, a remote town, and an eastern metropolis. Chapters of the report…

Discusses the California Supreme Court decision in Serrano v. Priest relating to the financing of local school systems through general property tax. (RJ)

Telephone interviews were conducted in May-June 2006 with 900 adult residents of the City of Milwaukee, which is contiguous with the Milwaukee public school district. Respondents were representative of the general adult population of the school district with respect to race, gender, education, income and geography. The goal in conducting the…

The Norfolk, Va., Public Schools began to close the gap with powerful learning, new instruction, and support.