This report is designed to help policymakers, parents, reporters, and foundation officials better understand what has been learned about voucher programs and why some key questions remain unsettled. It is based on an analysis of voucher programs in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Florida State. Four basic questions are addressed: (1) What do we know…

Presents a critical rejoinder to Stedman's article that dismisses the validity of school effectiveness guidelines. Stedman has misused school effectiveness research findings, for the data actually support these characteristics. Stedman's generalized alternatives lack adequate supportive evidence. (CJH)

Presents common attributes of effective evaluation systems, which are drawn from studies in Arizona, Michigan, and Vermont. Attributes include participant acceptance of validity, participant understanding of system mechanics and rationale, properly trained evaluators, a variety of evaluation methods, and evaluation as a district priority. (CJH)

This paper reviews the literature concerning school-wide discipline systems. It examines strategies suggested by experts, the effectiveness of these systems, and research indicating promising school-wide discipline practices. Only systems containing proactive or positive school-wide procedures were considered in the review of 34 articles. The…

This article reviews how tutoring systems have been applied across specialized subject areas (e.g., music, horticulture, health and safety, social interactions). It summarizes findings, provides an analysis of skills learned within each tutoring system, identifies the respective methodologies, and reports relevant findings, implications, and…

Research on teaching can be concerned with teaching in general or it can be conducted with a single kind of subject matter. Which kind of research is more advantageous? This issue arises in the planning of programs of research on teaching. The generic approach looks for uniformities, concepts, and principles that apply across all or many subject…

Asserts that the widely cited set of characteristics of effective schools cannot be substantiated. The lack of research supporting the formula raises questions about school effectiveness programs. Recommends a synthesis of approaches that meet a school's needs and include a broader political agenda. (CJH)

Six papers for the Second Delbert Oberteuffer Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1986 discuss various aspects of research and evaluation in school health programs. (DF)

An examination of the effect of intervention strategies utilized in the Research and Development Utilization (RDU) Program on school improvement outcomes was the subject of this document. The basic Federal/State approaches to support local school improvement efforts are a coercive/manipulative approach, direct support, or indirect support.…

An analysis of data collected from 30 urban districts indicates that there are encouraging developments in urban education which are exemplified by a number of successful programs. These include work-study programs, arts in education programs, programs which incorporate community resources, and alternative education programs. Five generalizations…

Describes Research In Teacher Education (RITE), a staff development model that uses school district staff to train teachers and that identifies effective teaching and staff development practices. Information is presented on the model's characteristics and implementation, research contributing to the model, a field test, and San Diego's adoption of…

This article identifies six core elements that have empirical support and should be included in instructional programs for students with autistic spectrum disorders. They are: (1) individualized supports and services; (2) systematic instruction; (3) comprehensible/structured learning environments; (4) specialized curriculum content; (5) functional…

The Research and Development Utilization (RDU) program research component examines the successes and administrative dilemmas faced by demonstration projects that attempted to develop interorganizational networks in a knowledge utilization and school improvement process. A framework is presented for looking at RDU projects as a group of…

Analysis of research articles and editorials from national newspapers and news magazines published during 1984-94 revealed that although research reported favorably on bilingual education, most newspaper articles took positions against bilingual education. Opinion writers did not base their positions on research, but rather on government reports,…

Analysis of the history of Chapter 1, the Federal program for the education of the disadvantaged, and a review of the research into the program's effectiveness show the inefficiency of Federal influence and funds in local schools. Chapter 1 has done little good for students: it has neither raised the achievement of the educationally deprived and…