Offers opinions on what characteristics effective schools hold in common. Case studies of South Boston High School and George Washington Preparatory High School (California) reveal changes they made that led to dramatic improvements in their school's effectiveness. Also addressed are numerous lessons learned through past efforts to improve…

School-based management is only one way to restructure decision making and planning to create a collaborative and collegial ambience. Schools should not forsake the strong possibilities for improvement through applying effective schools research in exchange for pursuing uncertain goals associated with recent teacher empowerment and self-governance…

Presents major conclusions from a 1990 report "Unusually Effective Schools: A Review and Analysis of Research and Practice." Guidelines for multischool improvement projects include providing substantial staff development time and technical assistance, focusing on instructional improvement, avoiding faculty overload and overreliance on bureaucratic…

A synthesis of research on unusually effective schools is presented in this monograph, with a focus on research conducted since 1985. Three major issues are addressed: (1) the viability of the effective school concept in contemporary school reform; (2) the correlation between recent research and basic findings; (3) and the congruency of school…

Summarizes major findings and implications from research on the characteristics of effective classrooms and on characteristics that distinguish schools that have unusually high student achievement from those that enroll similar groups of students with much lower achievement. Discusses how these findings relate to improving achievement in city…

Research studies that have focused on identifying the characteristics or correlates of elementary and secondary schools that are unusually effective are reviewed, concentrating on the "effective schools" movement. Research on effective schools supports the conclusion that they rank high on certain characteristics frequently referred to as…

Characteristics of schools that have succeeded in becoming unusually effective for all students include the following: (1) insistence that all participants take responsibility for improvement; (2) persistence in seeking to attain high standards; (3) resiliency in moving forward despite obstacles and discouragements; and (4) consistency in…

A number of recent approaches to instruction appear to improve the thinking skills and academic performance of low achievers. Lists six steps to successful reform and an additional six strategies focused on alienated low achievers. Provides information sources for programs described. (MLF)

Examines efforts to increase school effectiveness. Topics addressed are evaluation of effective schools research, successful school effectiveness projects, exemplary instructional interventions, process of school improvement and reform, cooperation with other institutions, magnet and alternative schools, school choice proposals, year-round…