This last article in a series of seven describes the outcome of attempts to implement performance contracting in an innovative school district in Colorado. In reviewing the series, the author concludes that although many of the innovations discussed did not survive, the schools were none the worse for their experimentation. (WD)

Many of the problems facing secondary schools today can be solved, this paper says, by negotiating learning contracts with students. Presented here is a model for shared accountability. (Author)

Adolescents struggle with many types of conflicts in their lives. They must define relationships with friends, teachers, parents, and themselves. Disagreements will arise, and without the proper training, many teens are left feeling angry, confused, or depressed. Teaching middle school students to deal with conflict productively at an early age…

After the quality of a school's teachers, the quality of a school's leaders is the most influential school-based factor affecting student learning, and research indicates that leadership impacts student achievement the most in academic settings serving students who traditionally have not done well in school. In an effort to provide high-quality…

Offers advice drawn from the experiences of Florida Community College at Jacksonville to assist other colleges in reducing the financial risks of performance contracting. Explains the differences between performance contracts and grants, discusses the issues of flexibility and accountability, and offers guidelines on proposal development and…

Suggests alternatives to traditional methods of "dispensing" higher education to lifelong learners, focusing on changing teacher responsibilities, older college students, crediting experiential learning, extending services to private and public agencies, and learning contracts. Cites two examples of using contract learning. (JM)

The management team at Minooka (Illinois) School District 201 is actively pursuing school improvement measures by establishing Performance Contracts to increase productivity. The format of the Performance Contract highlights yearly short-term and long-term goals, which are presented in the form of Job Improvement Targets stating the goal itself, a…