Previously, this author had suggested that a gradual redistribution was occurring across American higher education, especially among adult learners. Local hegemony was at risk, as online interlopers, increasingly from top tier universities and other academic behemoths, offered students choice they never had before without having to relocate. A…

Without a doubt, poverty has a negative influence on student achievement, especially when achievement is measured by state-mandated standardized tests. However, some bureaucrats, such as state commissioners of education and even state governors, continue to downplay the influence of poverty on student achievement. New Jersey's Governor Chris…

This article presents an interview with Lucy Beckham, the 2010 MetLife/NASSP National High School Principal of the Year, and principal of Wando High School, one of South Carolina's largest and highest-performing schools. Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has 3,250 in enrollment and has 209 staff members. Beckham shares her story…

The size of schools and districts in which they are located has become a salient policy issue in recent years. While consolidation of school districts and expanding high school size were in vogue from the 1960s until recently, funding agencies are now sponsoring projects to reduce school size under the assumption that smaller schools will lead to…

In this article Geoff Barton argues that the debate about large versus small schools is a largely phoney one that misses the essential point about the quality of provision. Using Michael Barber's international comparisons, he suggests that our focus should be on creating the conditions for teachers to teach as well as they can, and proposes that a…

This article discusses some of the arguments and values underlying the issue "Does size matter?" Using findings from inspection evidence (his own and others') the author explores possible answers to the question as it applies to primary education in England. He concludes that in determining whether "size matters" evidence has…

This article, which forms part of the policy booklet "Lessons from the Front" written by participants and Ambassadors of the Teach First scheme, argues that educational outcomes are often adversely affected by the size and structure of many urban complex schools. Rather than multiplying the efforts of teachers, too often the…

Issues in economies of scale and optimal school size are discussed in this paper, which seeks to explain the curvilinear nature of the educational cost curve as a function of "transaction costs" and to establish "optimal size" as a relative concept. Based on the argument that educational consolidation has facilitated diseconomies of scale, the…

Arguments in favor of school consolidation often focus on increased efficiency and economies of scale. However, as school size increases, parental involvement decreases. Family effects account for 34-105 times as much variation in achievement as school inputs. Consolidation may be economically viable, but distancing parents from schools may have a…

Identifies a number of key areas for further research on school effectiveness. The author draws up a framework of questions by which future studies might be assessed. He also argues that certain aspects of the way in which research on school effectiveness is conducted should be rethought. (CT)

This booklet provides a short review of the literature on the small-schools movement and describes the common features of effective small schools, as well as offering examples of two schools that have met with success. It gives a closer look at small-schools facilities and outlines six necessary considerations for local and state leaders. The text…

Provides areas of concern and suggestions for improvement of rural schools, i.e., instability of faculty, restricted curriculum, limited professional personnel, and high transportation and energy costs. (AH)

Demonstrates that size in itself is not, nor need it be, a major contributory factor in the organizational efficiency of schools and that there are other influences that need to be given at least equal, and perhaps more urgent, consideration. (Author/IRT)

Exchange panel of 100 was surveyed on impact of day care center size. Comments of 20 members are reported here. A total of 53 percent of the panel indicated that center size has a significant impact on the quality of care children receive. A list of the nation's largest child care facilities as of January 1, 1990, is included. (DR)

This paper discusses "constructions" of school size in West Virginia and Ohio and related issues concerned with school and school district consolidation, and the role of education, politics, and globalization. "School size" is not the same as enrollment; grade span and level are important in understandings of size.…