Alternative secondary schools were placed in separate groups based on patterns of organizational variables including goals, instructional features, size, sources of funding, and target school population. Distinct patterns of student perceptions of their school learning environment seem to be associated with identifiable patters of organizational…

Using the development of Third World countries as a metaphor for individual school development, this article describes a method used for eight years in a British secondary school to support internal school development initiatives. Emphasis is placed on internal communication and collaboration and on obtaining outside support rather than outside…

An inhouse student scheduling and information system facilitated the successful reorganization of a Massachusetts high school to a four-year program. (MJL)

This summary of a study describing the communications of school administrators and teachers and the degree of congruency between principals' and teachers' instructional intentions and students' and teachers' perceptions of classroom events concludes by proposing Rensis Likert's overlapping work groups as a more effective organizational pattern for…

Analyzes two private, secondary school rituals to determine why private schools are more effective than state schools in socializing students into acceptance of and support for the culture of the school. (Author/MW)

The authors examine and evaluate the introduction of mixed ability teaching at Pond Street Comprehensive School and draw conclusions on organizational change. (SJL)

Reports on a study that investigated the causes for student truancy and responses to the problem by two urban California secondary schools. Holds that attendance problems are much influenced by organizational structures and that school administrators are inadequately prepared to shape effective attendance policy. (GC)

Five years ago, the Huth Upper Grades Center in Matteson, Illinois, the only junior high school in the district, began incorporating significant elements of a child-oriented middle school. Among these was the assignment of students to one of five multidisciplinary teaching teams, called clusters. Available from NMSA, P.O. Box 968, Fairborn, OH…

Discipline is viewed in its broad organizational context as control of behavior. The context of secondary school discipline is analyzed in both its theoretical and practical aspects. Available from: Australian College of Education, 916 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia, $2.50 single copy. (Author/MLF)

Explains why block scheduling has become accepted practice at the secondary level and describes potential benefits for middle level schools. Shares common scheduling approaches and discusses their appropriateness for use at the middle level. Presents alternative models that would permit middle school faculties to capitalize on the benefits of…

Shares insights gained when the author, a professor of teacher education, taught middle and high school for a half-year in the public schools. Discusses the school setting and the classroom experience, and offers observations on whether students have changed, the school curriculum, and school organization and procedures. (SR)

This paper is a literature review of intensive education, or "macro block-scheduling." Intensive education is a change in the structure of secondary school organization. It involves organizing the school's schedule for efficiency and effectiveness so students study and teachers teach one subject for 30 days. Students stay with one…

Cultural and national history have profoundly modeled Greek society and continue to play a vital role in Greek policy and in cultural and social life. This handbook provides a brief overview of secondary education in Greece. The first part describes the country's societal, historical, and political background; educational history and current…

This book was written for use in university courses and inservice programs directed toward the improvement of secondary education. Part I contains an introduction and overview of an improvement design, including descriptions of proposals that have been made for school improvement, and experiences of school practitioners in improvement programs. In…

In this monograph, 13 authors offer their perspectives on the essential components of good schools. One interesting commonality is the tension expressed between institutional structure and personal values. Another issue that surfaces centers on the rising expectations of society for school achievement and the need for making learning more student…