Researchers have identified ninth grade as one of the most critical periods of time for intervention to prevent the loss of motivation, failing grades, and dropping out of school. This Information Capsule is concerned with the efficacy of ninth-grade centers or academies which isolate ninth-grade students into separate school buildings or in wings…

The article raises issues about the current direction of the field of educational leadership and management. It argues that we should consider a re-orientation of the field in order to renew its concern with ideas connected with organization, which include viewing organizations as complex adaptive systems and taking an institutional perspective.…

In 2006 and 2007, two workshops on teaching work-family courses were held at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association. This article examines the current challenges and strategies of teaching work-family, as identified by workshop participants, and the resources that are available through the Sloan Work and Family Research…

This study outlines a descriptive theory that seeks to grasp the complexity of the school as a state and societal institution as well as single schools as organizations. A significant characteristic of this complexity is the ambiguity of the missions and goals--the outer boundaries--of the school-institution. The more institutional ambiguity that…

Anthony Bryk is president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Previously, he held the Spencer Chair in Organizational Studies in the School of Education and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University as well as the Marshall Field IV Professor of Urban Education and Sociology at the University of Chicago. Dr.…

This review aims to demonstrate that a great deal of a school's success depends on which areas of school life the educational leader chooses to spend time and attention on. It calls for more research and policy attention to be given to the career paths of school principals in order to meet the challenge of identifying and developing the next…

This article reviews the differentiation of the academic profession into disciplinary segments and specialized departments and discusses Blau's theory of structural differentiation in organizations. (JA)

Written responses from teachers in 12 elementary schools located in six school districts in three states provided data for this exploratory report. Four instruments provided the basis for the questionnaires: job satisfaction, pupil control ideology, reference group orientation, and leadership. Few interpretations are offered on the results of…

It seems apparent that the traditional two-step organization of eight elementary and four high school grades is the weakest. The most promising organizational plan is the three-step 4-4-4 or 5-3-4 plan, which promises greater attention to individualized instruction. (AN)

Children in inner city schools require a special type of environment if they are to function as well-integrated individuals. (CK)