Principals need support throughout their careers in order to lead effectively and promote continuous improvement. However, some elementary school principals of small, rural schools lack access to structured systems of support that could increase their knowledge and skills as instructional leaders. The purpose of this study was to examine a central…

Much of the Northwest Region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington) is rural in nature. A characteristic of the extractive economies such as timber, agriculture, mining, and fisheries is that they are generally located in small communities isolated by distances. While schools in these communities face the same challenges as those in…

School reformers hope that converting comprehensive high schools into collections of small schools will produce results similar to those realized in freestanding small schools. This comparative case study revisits two "conversions" as they complete the grant funding that supported the reform, in order to explore the extent to which…

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe learning preferences of current high school students enrolled in online courses. The study further identified the students' perceived benefits and academic attractions to online education. The study also addressed the degree of satisfaction with their online courses. The study's final…

THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED AT TWO URBAN HIGH SCHOOLS AND THREE SMALL, REMOTE HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AN EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE STUDENT-TEACHER ACTIVITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS, AND TO EXPLORE, IN DEPTH, ANY EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES AND/OR DISADVANTAGES ACCRUING TO THE SMALL HIGH SCHOOL. GENERAL FINDINGS OF THE STUDY INDICATED THAT THERE…

This report includes observations from the first year of a three-year study of seven small high schools (that exist in converted comprehensive high schools) in Washington State. It discusses the unique characteristics of professional communities that are emerging and examines how these communities are changing teachers expectations for their…

This report examines the issue of teacher turnover in small schools and offers suggestions for how small schools can sustain changes in structure, instruction, and leadership, yet make room for new voices and ideas. Data was drawn from a three-year study of high school conversions in Washington State. The report also includes self-study questions…

This report includes observations from the first year of a three-year study of seven small high schools in Washington State. It discusses the results schools are beginning to see from knowing students and their learning needs more deeply. Progress to date includes teachers recognizing the need for personalization, designing structures to support…

This study investigated the nature and extent of physical education programs for individuals with disabilities in Washington State's small rural public school districts. Questionnaires were sent to 185 superintendents of small rural school districts in the state. Of the 128 responses, 70.3% enrolled individuals with disabilities. Fifty-eight…

In 1982-83, the State of Washington's 299 public school districts (K-12) educated more than 738,000 students; over 70% of these school districts enrolled fewer than 2,000 students and 40% enrolled fewer than 500 students. The small school (fewer than 500 students) graduation rate of 92.6% was 10.6% higher than the statewide average of 82%. Nine…

This report is based on a three-year study of seven small high schools in Washington State. We use "the new 3 Rs" of rigor, relevance, and relationships as a framework to examine student perspectives on what happens in their small schools and classrooms. In addition, we have added a fourth principle, student voice, which refers to…

This is the culminating report of a three-year study of seven small schools in Washington State. It examines adult learning in the context of school redesign and highlights three schools where teachers are beginning to capitalize on adult learning opportunities to turn the corner to instructional change. In our view, effective adult learning…

The special report reviews Washington's 1965 Apportionment Formula, which authorized the superintendent of public instruction to develop a weighting factor that would provide additional state funds for costs resulting from the operation of small districts judged by the state board of education as "remote and necessary." Actions on the…

A regional approach to improving small rural schools through staff development was taken in Washington State. Consultants from the Child Service Demonstration Center at Washington State University trained teachers to use Madeline Hunter's instructional methodology, called Instructional Theory into Practice. (PP)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) A State of the States Roundup: State Governors Address High School Reform and College Preparation; and (2) "Big…