Effectiveness of substitute teachers is related to the implementation of strategy for their utilization. If substitutes are expected to do more than control students, then teachers must leave lesson plans, activities, and materials that can be used by anyone. Cooperation and coordination are essential for substitutes' success. (MD)

Large schools have a tall organizational structure with long chains of command and limited control for "low-level" staff, including teachers and principals. To resolve this problem, two alternative structures are suggested: a dual structure involving spheres of administrative and professional responsibility and a flat structure featuring…

Research indicates that school organization factors may be as important in explaining and managing school discipline as classroom techniques. The key to developing an environment conducive to good student deportment is a total school effort facilitated by a highly visible principal. Includes 11 references. (MLH)

The "discipline ladder" approach emphasizes that each successive offense of the same type should result in punishment made more uncomfortable by designed increments. (Author/IRT)

The brain's capability to apprehend complex information at multiple levels is ignored when teaching is limited to rote or "symbol-specific" learning. Educators should be concerned with increasing neurological networks or "maps" representing richness of content, instead of teaching isolated, segmented facts along well-worn…

During a summer retreat, administrative staff at a Columbia, Missouri, middle school discussed the logistics of moving half of their students to a new facility during the middle of the academic year. This team-building effort helped form bonds that sustained administrators, teachers, and students during a difficult year. (MLH)

Describes a Cluster Plus plan that groups middle school students into two clusters on each grade level according to ability. This arrangement retains vertical organization into core curriculum areas (mathematics, social studies, English, and science), while allowing flexible regrouping through horizontal team teaching. (MLH)

Describes a participatory management project that focused on distribution of management behaviors and facilitated a continual renewal process. Includes illustrations and tables. (MD)

Based on a study of change facilitation in eight high schools, this article debunks three common myths concerning administrative organization as an obstacle to managing high school change. Tentative guidelines are provided to help determined managers cure stagnation and thwart bureaucratic intransigency. (MLH)

Based on comments from a woman principal's diary, this article views the building of a healthy school culture as essential to achieving school effectiveness and administrative sanity. Success depends on a clear mission, sound communication patterns, a good leadership team, and effective planning and staff development components. (MLH)

Teacher absenteeism appears highest in elementary schools, schools with lower student achievement, schools composed of economically disadvantaged and minority students, and urban school districts. Survey of Brooklyn high schools found high teacher absenteeism; in addition, attendance patterns were habitual, teachers holding temporary teaching…

Only one overriding issue faces today's educators: the transformation to communication learning systems that will make schools obsolescent. Educators must involve their communities in "imagineering" the long-term future and dismantling the existing system, with its seven period days, ABCDF report cards, group-paced instruction, and…

Traditional school administrative policy often establishes the structure and organization of the school first; from this structure, the program and curriculum then follow. By contrast, a case study is offered of an educational change as support for the reverse sequence, whereby the school program can be the determiner of school organization. (CJH)

Describes an instructional development team approach designed to make secondary reading programs more effective. (Author/JM)

Research on effective teaching, combined with findings of the effective schools movement, is calling for teacher empowerment and new leadership opportunities for principals. This article describes a leadership pyramid embodying symbolic, cultural, instructional, and managerial functions. Principals will still operate at the top (symbolic and…