This collection of essays concerning recent research on pupil achievement focuses on the role of teachers. The papers served as the basis of discussions during a day-long conference in February, 1970, at the Office of Education. Topics included models of school effectiveness, teacher quality, teacher attitudes, and policy implications. While the…

Magnet schools strive to draw students voluntarily to racially mixed settings by offering diversified educational opportunities. The impact of magnet schools on the political and organizational processes of a school system are discussed. (DF)

A brief history of East Ridge Middle School in Connecticut illustrates the strong economic and demographic pressures that can work against a middle school. The principal plays a crucial role in preserving both the structure and the programs of an effective middle school. Points out strategies to protect and develop middle schools in tough economic…

Extends research on factors promoting or undermining school effectiveness. Employs two dimensions of effective internal organization (teacher community and principal leadership) to examine effects of school context variables generally excluded from prior research. Explores whether models of context effects on internal school conditions differ for…

Today, the division of large schools into subschools or subunits is often recommended as the answer to a number of problems in education. This paper examines the several forms of school-downsizing efforts and the somewhat diverse purposes for which they are being established. The data come from a review of literature and an evaluation of 22…

In October-November 1990 trustees, principals, and teachers at 239 schools and parents at 26 of these schools were surveyed. This provided a comprehensive picture of how the "Tomorrow's Schools" reforms were felt at the primary and intermediate levels. Four issues are identified. First is the provision of continuity and training for…

A discussion with 10 nationally recognized education reformers is summarized in this report. A goal of the discussion was to find common ways to fundamentally alter the American educational structure. Participants' statements are organized around six central themes, which form a paradigm for effective school restructuring. Sections address each of…

The Effective Schools Program in St. Louis, Missouri, public schools expanded the concept of effective schools developed in Project SHAL (1980-1984). The following five characteristics are considered effective school factors: (1) strong administrative leadership (2) high teacher expectations; (3) positive school climate; (4) total school…

The 571 secondary schools selected by the United States Department of Education for recognition as exemplary institutions represented urban, suburban and rural communities. The proportions of minority students were not markedly different from the national distribution, nor did the socio-economic status of families with students differ greatly from…

A model is presented for studying how schools provide instruction to students. A major function of the National Center for Education Statistics is to collect data for understanding and improving how schools provide instruction. The model describes school factors (characteristics, staffing, organization, policy, and student evaluation); classroom…

Despite prestigious reports, most notably "A Nation at Risk," and fervent reform efforts, school performance is unlikely to be improved by measures failing to recognize that schools are institutions--complex organizations composed of interdependent parts, governed by well-established rules and norms, and adapted for stability. Effective…

This report is one in a series of publications issued on school-based management and improvement (SBI). The publication is intended to present the best and most interesting of the research involving school based approaches to educational reform, including research on effective schools. It begins with an introductory article on SBI and its link to…

The Governors' Task Force on Leadership and Management created an action agenda to develop policies that strengthen school leadership, encourage school renewal, and determine broad educational goals. Suggested improvements include provision of proper training and certification programs for principals, effective inservice management development…

Describes the structure and internal dynamics of Israeli residential schools and the change processes that have developed in recent decades. Concludes that the residential schools reflect the larger community outside and provide a second chance for many students to learn to function effectively yet autonomously. (KH)

This article synthesizes research on teacher effectiveness, school effectiveness, and organizational change and interprets what the findings imply for staff development in the schools. Nine research-based themes for staff development efforts are outlined. (PP)