As secondary school leaders consider a shift toward standards-based grading (SBG) practices, they are no doubt weighing the odds of a successful implementation process. This research followed up on a study from 2014 to identify the challenges secondary school leaders experience when changing the currency of the classroom from points to learning.…

The discussion that transpired in Fremont, Nebraska, over one academic year depicted faculty's struggles and growth as they wrestled with their school's significant change to block scheduling. Conversations demonstrate a staff moving from block-implementation stresses in the first quarter to a focus on teaching and learning in the fourth quarter.…

Confronted by lack of congruence among supervisors' identification of teachers' needs, teachers' identification of their own needs, and in-service training, East Brunswick (New Jersey) High School developed a comprehensive staff development program based on videotaped lessons provided by teachers and reformulated teaching behavior descriptions…

The transformation of a high school to a learning community is a slow and challenging process. This study tracked the efforts of teacher and administrative leaders from six high schools who worked to develop professional learning communities. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of interviews with school leaders revealed that the early days of…

A southwest Arkansas high school is meeting teachers' and students' needs with a reorganized 4:4 block schedule that changes the traditional arrangement (7 55-minute classes daily for 180 days) to 2 terms with 4 90-minute classes per term. Teachers can teach a concept, work with it, and discuss results in one class period. Students have homework…

Describes Direction 2000, a high school holistic school improvement project based on the American Library Association's Presidential Committee on Information Literacy Report (1989). Despite scarce funds, students need more time to learn through discovery, evaluation, and application of information sources. Libraries must be an integral part of…

A committee comprised of six veteran teachers, the principal, and one parent initiated East Lyme (Connecticut) High School's search for a workable school schedule. The alternative-day block schedule featured semester and full-year course formats, 85-minute time blocks, a 45-minute lunch/club/activity period, and a closed campus. A survey found…

Liberty (Missouri) Senior High School's Teacher Improvement Project required identifying effective teaching behaviors, having teachers select 15 behaviors for implementation, creating a process for assessing progress and providing feedback, and making resource personnel available. The article lists 21 effective teaching behaviors and identifies…

Outlines the steps included in the implementation of a successful instructional television (ITV) program for gifted students: selecting personnel, conducting an ITV workshop, developing curricula, identifying students, implementing a pilot-based program, and implementing a daytime program. (Author/IRT)

A rural Georgia high school has established a framework of continuous improvement to help it become a learning organization. Teachers are involved at all organizational levels--from school management to instructional practices. Teams of teachers are testing new ideas and knowledge, using data and simple statistical tools to discover what works,…

A Portland, Oregon, high school adopted the tech-prep/school-to-work career pathway structure five years ago. This model offers a framework for a student's career development, based on a broad selection within a career path, such as human services, business and management, industrial and engineering systems, and other endeavors. Choice is flexible…

Theater participation aids students in several areas, including self-expression, self-development, self-understanding, self-esteem, self-discipline, analytical skills, empathy, human understanding, and competition. Balance between academics and the arts is essential if students are to be prepared to live well-rounded, meaningful lives in the…

Shares information on current scheduling trends within Iowa and explains why some schools have adopted a more cautious schedule-modification posture. In Iowa, there is strong support for cocurricular activities, including music and art, and faculty resistance, based on instructional issues. Test scores are high with a traditional schedule. (13…

There are three reasons that specially designed instruction at the high-school level is improperly delivered: teachers may not understand the requirements, know how to make appropriate accommodations, or follow what has been outlined. Scheduling mismatches and failed behavior-management implementations are additional factors. Planning ahead avoids…

Compares achievement of students attending a large Florida high school under a traditional schedule during 1993-94 and a trimester block schedule during the following year. Passing grades have gone up 3.7%. Regarding Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Testing results, there was no significant difference. Teachers, students, parents, and…