This research study focused on the theories that support and underpin the Nine Characteristics of High-Performing Schools. Much of the data presented about high-performing schools lack data about schools that are nontraditional; the nontraditional school, otherwise known as an alternative school or alternative learning placement, supports students…

Classroom management has many challenges, but when the class is held in a computer lab, even more challenges surface. The obstruction of the line-of-sight between the instructor and the students makes it difficult to monitor student behavior, attention, facial expressions or other non-verbal cues. Also, while the computer is a powerful machine,…

School discipline practices have traditionally been reactive and punitive in nature. Students violating a school district's code of conduct were often met with exclusionary discipline policies such as out-of-school suspensions, long-term suspensions, and expulsions. Districts attempted to resolve these practices by creating alternative education…

Although the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires all American public schools to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), many fail to meet this standard each year. Effective Schools Research has revealed several correlates, such as a clear mission, a safe climate, strong instructional leadership, monitoring of student progress, strong…

The accountability measures for student achievement have increased over the last five years for New York City Public Schools. In addition to existing local, state and federal accountability systems, yet another evaluative tool has been added--a "Progress Report". The report indicates a letter grade of "A" to "F" for a…

This study examined behavior modification programs in schools designed to focus on discipline and that aim to reform disruptive behavior in students, usually over a limited period of time. This was a comparative case study of two type II alternative schools in the Upstate of South Carolina. The findings contributed to the research base regarding…