"Surprise! Here come the preschoolers." Thousands of elementary principals are receiving a similar message from their supervisors as the concept of universal preschool is propelled to the forefront of the national education agenda. School districts across the country are being infused with wide varieties of federal- and state-funded…

In the assessment-driven environment of today's schools, questions about effectiveness and impact on student learning often focus on the school as a whole. An often-missed piece is taking a critical look at specific programs and approaches. Program evaluation is a tool that can help do this. Program evaluation can help to answer a range of…

Research shows that hands-on science education is more effective than a textbook and lecture approach. This suggests that the "new curriculum" introduced in science classes in the seventies was more effective than was thought. (JM)

Research evidence now lends legitimacy to the importance of the principal's instructional leadership in promoting school effectiveness. (Author/JM)

Describes the Garrison School in New York City's South Bronx and the principal who made it the only school in its district that is meeting or exceeding national achievement standards. (Author/JM)

The Comer Process is a research-based school improvement model stressing collaboration, consensus, and communication for problem solving in academic, social, and staff development areas. The process allows school staff and parents to work together and to decide what is in the best interest of children. (MLF)