Describes 20 ways in which secondary schools can enhance their learning climates, using time and effort in a more businesslike, productive way to increase orderliness and predictability; improve recognition of the value of time; emphasize excellence; and create a sense of purpose, openness, and optimism regarding learning and living. (Author/PGD)

Author says that negativism must be countered with effective public relations and discusses several program pitfalls to avoid. (Editor)

Schools seeking to sharpen their academic skills programs should consider defining their academic goals; organizing the school's resources and modifying the schedule, curricula, and instructional techniques to meet the goals; and developing an evaluation program that effectively measures progress toward the goals. (PGD)

Describes a homeroom advising program developed at Central Junior High School in Omaha, Nebraska. The original goal of the program was to give students a sense of belonging, but the program accomplished much more and carried over into all aspects of the school. (MD)

Describes the successful program implemented at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis (Indiana) for increasing the participation of parents, students, and teachers in school governance. Identifies new roles performed by teachers, administrators, parents, and students and notes two dramatic results of the program's first year. (PGD)

Article outlines a seven-step approach to setting up a systematic PR program and includes a quiz for evaluating your current success at PR efforts. (Editor)

Summarizes a study that elicited students' responses regarding their perceptions of success in 21 alternative-learning-environment (ALE) programs throughout Arkansas. Students overwhelmingly favored ALE over regular program characteristics regarding teachers, class size, student/teacher relationships, expectations, atmosphere, courses, building,…

A principal shares principles and practices involved in achieving excellence in a middle school. (DCS)

Results of a study involving over 800 secondary schools; data presented in tables. (SP)

Results of a study by the National Association of College Admissions Counselors; data is tabulated. (SP)

Local districts can assess public opinion concerning the schools by adapting the questions asked and the data analysis methods used in national Gallup polls for use in local surveys. A comparison of national poll results with results of polls in four Arizona cities illustrates the value of this concept. (PGD)

Asserting that informing parents about the discipline policies and procedures in their children's schools will reduce misunderstandings and inappropriate expectations and encourage parent participation, this article outlines specific methods principals can use to communicate discipline information to parents. (PGD)

Describes the methods and results of an evaluation of a year-round junior high school program in the Bethel (Washington) school district. Discusses the opinions of teachers, students, and parents, and notes that tests revealed that student achievement levels were similar to those of a comparable district on a conventional schedule. (PGD)

A questionnaire given to parents, teachers, and principals of middle-school students shows general consistency among the three groups in ranking student behavior problems--except on student use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, which is ranked high by parents but low by school authorities. (JW)