This digest reviews recent evidence of the positive effects of small-scale schooling on student achievement. Historically, larger school size has been viewed as an important educational reform producing cost-effectiveness and educational efficiency. Today, small-scale schooling is found primarily in rural areas and small towns. A 1964 study…

In a period of rapid enrollment growth, cities in which University of California campuses reside are waging a noisy campaign to demand an end to campus expansion, either by adding a campus or keeping enrollments down. The university remains committed to offering a place to all qualifying students. (MSE)

Most of the recent research identifying organizational characteristics that seem to make schools unusually effective has been conducted at the elementary level and may not be applicable to secondary schools. Research currently underway suggests that the basic organizational structures of elementary and secondary schools dictate two different…

The movement to reform college athletics programs has been least well implemented in the institutions at which it was aimed, those sponsoring the largest and most expensive programs. Some blame the institutions for lack of courage in making changes that would restrict their competitiveness. (MSE)

Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) has identified a research agenda that connects the challenges that rural schools face in implementing No Child Left Behind (NCLB) provisions. The rural education research agenda crafted by McREL includes nine priority topics: (1) Opportunity to learn; (2) School size and student…

Although Wake Forest University recently dissolved its ties with the Baptist church, it is committed to maintaining its Baptist tradition while emphasizing high-quality teaching and academic freedom and increasing diversity in its student population. (MSE)

This report contains statistical data on all the secondary schools and programs in the Portland (Oregon) Public School District to provide comparable background information. Part I compares the 10 major high schools for the following selected variables: (1) enrollment, including current, projected, and optimum figures; (2) minority enrollment; (3)…

This document provides an overview and analysis of how a series of national conferences held in the fall of 2003 framed conversations around high schools and high-school-age youth This analysis explores the underlying assumptions of these frameworks and the extent to which they coalesced or diverged. The report also examines the content of the…

This paper discusses a study of at-risk students in two highly contrastive schools, located in different districts, in order to illustrate the comparative perspective on how district and school characteristics might influence the definition of and response to at-risk students. The study is linked with a larger cultural context through an…

Examined Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) programs showing how they compare to each other and other science programs and how various student groups performed. Student comparisons were made by sex, IQ, ability grouping, and socioeconomic status. Teacher background, school size and location were also examined. Summary and recommendations…

This report defines what is meant by quality basic education in Georgia and makes numerous recommendations for achieving it for all Georgians. The recommendations are that: (1) basic skills and general job skills be emphasized in vocational education; (2) the salary base for teachers be increased; (3) a five plateau teacher career ladder be…

Rural education trends and issues confronting state legislatures are examined in this handbook of narrative as well as statistical tables. Designed to provide state legislators with information they need to better understand rural implications of statewide education reforms, the handbook presents a range of legislative alternatives in key areas.…