Ability grouping's positive aspects (improved self-concept, achievement, and individualization) affect students in higher ability groups, whereas its negative aspects (impaired student mobility, instructional quality, self-concept, and achievement) affect students in lower ability groups. To make ability grouping work for all students requires…

The gifted education model described here provides elective "talent pool" classes--within the standard class schedule--that integrate enrichment activities with the academic curriculum in any given subject area. (MCG)

Students benefit when educators personalize a high school by developing a sense of community. A Puerto Rico international school employed middle-level concepts (interdisciplinary teams and advisory programs) to build community. Community-minded educators develop a definition unique to their school, know the characteristics of effective…

Howard Gardner's research explores why some students achieve (test) well, while others struggle. Gardner's ideal school features master teachers and an assessment specialist to provide regular, updated intelligence evaluations of each student's strengths, weaknesses, and inclinations. Curricula would use fresh approaches borrowed from museums and…

Classes taught over computer networks (the Internet) will remake today's high schools. Education on demand is becoming a "virtual reality" for regular, homebound, hospitalized, and less motivated students. Reassigning disobedient, unwilling students to an off-campus computer communications lab will significantly improve attendance,…

Four systems for computer-assisted instruction are explained and compared here: the PLATO, the TICCIT, the TRS 80, and the Apple II. (JM)

The experience of middle-school reformers during the past 30 years has shown that administrative/organizational changes are more easily achieved than changes in people. Using teaming, block scheduling, and other middle-level approaches to personalize high schools and make them more relevant may help today's adolescents regain feelings of purpose,…

Growing student diversity, reports and government mandates, ninth-grade transition problems, and middle-school influences have produced new enthusiasm for high-school reorganization. Restructuring approaches such as block scheduling, differentiated instruction, academic teaming, house plans, career academies, heterogeneous grouping, and integrated…