"Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community" focuses on three successful approaches for using the school as a catalyst for community development and revitalization, particularly in rural areas. The strategies also work well in suburban and urban areas. The three approaches described include: leadership by K-12 teachers,…

New Visions for Public Schools has put together "The New York City Guide to Small High Schools" to describe new opportunities in the public high school system: over 200 small secondary schools created over the last five years. These small schools are part of the Department of Education's efforts to create more choices for thousands of…

The Montana School Accreditation Standards require every Montana school to conduct a self-evaluation at least every 10 years. For some small Montana schools this has been an informal process and often more anecdotal than data driven. Using the Montana Statewide Education Profile as a model, a committee of county superintendents, teachers, and…

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…

Describes how small high schools can use service journalism (action-oriented, reader-oriented articles) in their publications by using product/service comparison articles and indepth investigations about various groups and organizations associated with value building. (MM)

Considerable attention has been given to organizational effectiveness of public sector organizations at all levels: local, state, and federal. Public education has not escaped scrutiny. Current examinations of the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of education are more intense than that of other public sector organizations. The organizational…

The purpose of this bulletin is to point out the advantages of small schools (five rooms or less) and what makes them quality schools. Answers are supplied for the question, Why a Lutheran School in Our Congregation? (to provide opportunities through which the Holy Spirit can develop and maintain the Christian faith in each pupil) and When is a…

A systematic 13-step approach to curriculum study and revision for small school districts is offered that involves appointing a committee, deciding on an overall program, narrowing choices, evaluating and selecting materials, revising materials to fit local goals, invervice training for teachers, and reevaluation. (TE)

Provides suggestions for selection and use of media equipment and material. Tabular displays include an instructional design model, a media classifications layout, and a specifications chart. (AN)

Advice to smaller schools about how to write a program on planned maintenance, develop a planned maintenance book format, use the book, and implement the program. (Author/MLF)

This paper provides 11 steps on how to build a strong journalism program in a small high school. The categories discussed include: what is meant by a strong program; particular problems of small schools; additional problems affecting schools regardless of size; the advisor; the program; the staff; facilities and equipment; work environment;…

A solution to staff development and instructional improvement for rural and small school teachers is through self-initiated and/or self-styled improvement programs using the mental rehearsal strategy. Mental rehearsal is the process of using imagery to practice teaching behavior before actually teaching. If rural educators can be trained to…

Describes a step-by-step outline for an efficient curriculum program encompassing: curriculum responsibilities; plans for a revision schedule; and revision committees and their schedules. (AH)

Describes the ideal qualities of teachers in small schools, and explains how to recruit ideal teachers and how to provide inservice training for those who are less than ideal. (JM)

Small school district administrators can use microcomputers to improve their management abilities and productivity through computerized accounting, electronic mail and online subscription services, and the use of integrated software programs. (MD)