Many school district leaders, high school administrators, and teachers--particularly those in urban areas--have struggled to reduce high school dropout rates but find themselves overwhelmed by the dimensions of the problem. Consider: Research has shown that lack of preparation in elementary and middle school, long before students reach high…

School leaders have begun to understand that "change is a process." Leaders must facilitate change, not merely disseminate or direct it. This publication presents findings of the Leadership for Change Project (LFC). The LFC studied six sites at different stages of the school-improvement process, including two "developmental" sites in Arkansas and…

Results are provided from a longitudinal study of 16 local education agencies (LEAs) implementing P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) over the past four school years. Findings are based primarily on interviews with LEA personnel and community professionals. Results are presented according to the following general topics…

Today's schools are entering a second wave of reform in response to changing demographics, public demand for accountability, and societal changes expanding the traditional time frame for learning. To meet these challenges, schools need help through home and community involvement. This book offers seven strategies illustrated by success stories…

This handbook provides detailed information about job sharing for both administrators and potential sharers who are interested in implementing this new work arrangement. It incorporates results of a survey of job sharing in health care organizations as well as interviews and contacts with health care providers. A section on employees and job…

Studies of the use of ethnography as an evaluation tool in large-scale contract research studies were reviewed before data collection and design decisions were finalized in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP). Five tasks had to be accomplished before data collection could begin: study sites were selected, a system for data collection was…

This study examined the longitudinal effect of a comprehensive school design and reform program on faculty perceptions of their contribution to students, collegial support, and autonomy in a secondary school. The study sought to establish whether these changes in faculty members' perceptions of their work environment covaried with the…

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota has been working with SciMathMN to conduct a multi-year study of the implementation and impact of standards-based mathematics curricula in Minnesota in several district settings. Phase 1 of the study began in fall 2000 and continued through the 2000-2001…

The policy impact model can help state educational planners develop policies for local school districts. The model has four stages: forecasting, goal setting, policy analysis, and implementation. A project in Louisiana is used as a case study.

This analysis of an accreditation policy suggests that the policy process in general, and the implementation process in particular, tend to shape the policy outcomes through linkages between the various process phases and policy performance. (Author/IRT)

Although inclusion is recommended as "best practice," there is little implementation research from the parent's viewpoint. This article presents the experiences of one mother actively involved in making inclusion work for her child. Tracey's story focuses on the importance of developing parent-professional partnerships to secure a…

Discusses a case study involving organizational change and its effect on employees. Presents three responses to the case study: "Paradox of Ordering Change: I Insist That We Work as a Team" (Paaige K. Turner); "Managing Change Is Managing Meaning" (Greg Hearn and Abraham Ninan); and "The Psychodynamics of an Organizational Change Initiative"…

Within an individual building, the School Improvement Process (SIP) provides a focus for staff development and an evaluation of results that are linked to student outcomes. SIP emphasizes a building level, bottom-up planning and decision-making process. This article presents a case study of an individual school's use of SIP. (IAH)

Describes a case study method to determine the effects of the Carl D. Perkins Act at both the state and local level in Texas. Assesses these effects within the context of the state's major reform movement. Provides examples of vocational education delivery over a two-year period, summarizing mixed results. Includes four references. (MLH)

Guidelines are offered for making the most effective use of a college or university alumni board, including (1) analyzing the current membership, (2) identifying strong new members, and (3) working on motivation. A case study at Syracuse (New York) University is offered. Also addressed are increased conflicts with increased board involvement,…