A discussion of recent developments and research on school improvement efforts precedes a review of information needs for broadening the data base on implementation and evaluation of innovative school improvement programs for handicapped and nonhandicapped students. A table matches effective classroom learning environments and expected student…

This paper addresses trends and issues in the progressive inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools and classes. It examines the current changing school scene in terms of changes directly affecting students with disabilities and those who work with them (such as deinstitutionalization of students with severe and profound…

In discussing the need to restructure school programs and more completely integrate students with special learning needs into regular school programs, the problems of classification of students in special education and overlapping services and programs are presented. Includes a table featuring effective classroom environments and a reference list.…

Local schools and school districts lack organized information on school effectiveness to select programs and practices to meet their specific program improvement and implementation needs. Critical program features, implementation and training requirements, program costs, program-delivery systems, program impacts, and a host of other relevant…

The National Study of Effective Title I Schoolwide Programs was initiated to address the lack of information on how schoolwide programs affect teaching and learning and student outcomes and to develop a critical empirical base for strengthening the implementation of Title I programs in service of students in high poverty schools. This paper…

In a survey of educational researchers, school and district administrators, and policymakers, 1,818 respondents rated educational practices and policies according to their influence on learning and assessability. Classroom practices, design and delivery of curriculum, and schoolwide practices were rated as more influential than federal, state, and…

Psychological theory holds that resilient infants, children, and youth can do well even in adverse circumstances. Corroborative research in preventive psychopathology, longitudinal cases of resilient development, and effective education suggests an ecological framework that organizes findings and can help guide research on educational resilience…

Information should be gathered on specific features of school learning environments that are effective in maximizing all students' chances for schooling success, particularly the chances of success for special students who require greater-than-usual educational support. Research and educational practice support the contention that information on…

Argues for the development of school-wide reform plans derived from research on individual differences in learning and effective school practices. Data are presented from three urban schools where a systematic school restructuring effort enabled the establishment of strong family-school-community connections and effective and efficient delivery of…

This paper recommends developing an infrastructure of federal support and federal assessment of student performance to ensure that schoolwide programs in high poverty neighborhoods are able to meet specific legislative goals. It argues for closer links between the federal government and school districts in helping schoolwide programs develop…

In view of current interest in and the legislative push for collaborative reforms in education, this paper reviews quantitative and qualitative evidence on the effectiveness of providing school-linked comprehensive services for elementary school students and their families. A preliminary taxonomy of features of collaborative school-linked services…

This paper characterizes the school effects literature that has been conducted over the past 25 years with a focus on urban elementary and secondary schools. The features of the research studies reviewed are explored, including dependent and independent variables employed, sources of data, research methods used, and the number and direction of…