Examines factors that might explain the increased interest in research on school effectiveness; summarizes three articles that deal with school improvement and effectiveness research; and stresses the importance of using exceptional schools' research in developing school improvement strategies. (MJL)

Two questions are considered: "How do results of university research find their way into societal improvements?" and "What might enhance the flow and use of results of university research?" Perspectives of government sponsorship, institutional management, and institutional conservation are considered, as well as findings from studies of…

Examines research reviews on exceptional schools and summarizes findings on the leadership, efficacy, and efficiency dimensions of effective schooling. Discusses strengths and weaknesses of the research, and suggests ways that research can be used to improve schools. (MJL)

A summary and critique is presented on research of effective schools, based primarily on a review of the reviews written about that work. It is pointed out that the majority of research findings came from studies of elementary schools and focused upon the characteristics of effective schools for minority and poor students. Most research reviewed…

This paper reviews the empirical literature regarding factors associated with the development of Institutional Research (IR) offices in community colleges. The IR office is defined as any organizational unit which has at least one half-time staff member given responsibility for the synthesis and reporting of institutional data, is visibly…

This volume provides a comprehensive synthesis of competencies that research has associated with the administration of effective schools. Following an introduction, section 1, "Re-thinking the Organizational Structure of Schools," presents current thinking on the organizational structure in which school administrators function.…

In discussing the improvement of schools by using research and development findings, two different outcomes of a change program are considered. One is the effective implementation of new programs through use of available knowledge. The second is the broader issue of achieving school improvement through making the organization more healthy, the…

Papers are presented which were generated by this workshop on school improvement. Both session and panel presentations are included on school effectiveness research, curriculum alignment for school improvement, a school climate improvement project, the McRel school improvement program, Pennsylvania's long-range planning for school improvement, an…

This study examined the characteristics of those universities from which scientists, working in private industry, procure research information. It assessed these characteristics with respect to institutional size, quality, institutional type, geographic location, and the presence of cooperative research structures. The study involved a citation…

The Center for Educational Research and Evaluation of the University of North Carolina (Greensboro) has been contracted to propose standards, indicators of quality, data collection procedures, and instruments for the evaluation of Georgia public schools mandated by the state legislature. The development of these standards and indicators is…

This digest examines some of the literature on entrepreneurial arrangements within academic institutions--arrangements that often mirror the conflicted town/gown attitude between small cities and the institutions of higher education located within their limits. The main reason cited for the involvement of higher education institutions in…