By aligning factors that most commonly influence the achievement of Black and Hispanic students with the type of resources inside the black box of schooling, this study differentiated the achievement effect of school resources from what was brought by students to schools. The hierarchical regression results showed that minority students'…

School turnaround initiatives have prioritized the school principal as the change lever. Little overall consideration about the critical role district leadership plays. In this study, we analyze the turnaround launch and, improvement plans of school district leaders participating in a university, turnaround program. We find that district leaders…

As instructional leadership involves attempts to understand and improve complex systems, this study explored principals' perceptions regarding possible contributions of systems thinking to instructional leadership. Based on a qualitative analysis, systems thinking was perceived by middle and high school principals to contribute to the following…

To meet the constantly changing needs of schools and diverse learners, educators must frequently monitor student learning, revise curricula, and improve instruction. Consequently, it is critical that careful analyses of student performance data are ongoing components of curriculum decision-making processes. The primary purpose of this study is to…

This statewide study examined the relationships between principal managerial, instructional, and transformational leadership and student achievement in public high schools. Differences in student achievement were found when schools were grouped according to principal leadership factors. Principal leadership behaviors promoting instructional and…

A practical strategy to help school administrators improve curricula is presented. (MJL)

Knowing a student body's longevity in the district is an important first step to curriculum development. (LD)

Middle schools emphasize exploration and articulation designed specifically for 10 to 14-year-olds. Yet the high schools often resist change, creating the possibilities of a traumatic transitional experience. (Author/MLF)

The authors state the case for an interdisciplinary approach to energy education and describe the energy education unit developed in their school district. (Author)

The chief executive of a leading American corporation explains why he believes educators must strive for economic literacy among all students. (Author)

The Conceptual Curriculum Network is a model for curriculum planning that identifies essential aspects of curriculum planning, indicates flow within the planning process, and explains the interrelationship of essential aspects of the planning. (Author/IRT)

Based on a literature review, class observations, and interviews with teachers and students, this article offers a conception of higher order thinking (as signifying challenge and expanded use of the mind), discusses reasons for the difficulty of promoting it in high schools, and suggests ways principals can help. (MLH)

Describes a middle school program in Wisconsin that has a curriculum based on basic skills and provides exposure to special areas such as art, business, education, foreign language, music, home economics, physical education, and industrial education. (MD)

Change mythology vs. change reality introduces this summary of program descriptions by several principals and a frank discussion of what's ahead for their schools. (Editor/RB)