Early evidence indicates that, contrary to what many educators fear, current efforts to raise standards are having a beneficial effect on at-risk students. (Author/TE)

As schools are typically organized, children work under the guidance of female teachers employed by a male principal (the boss) empowered to interrupt their classes at will and mete out discipline. The principal serves as district stationmaster but not necessarily as educator. Two hypothetical examples show how teachers and secretaries can…

Presents five definitions of "systemic change," ranging from "working with school districts or education departments to effect change" (vertical approach) to "working with every school in a system" or "working with every aspect of the school system (horizontal approaches). "Systemic" can also mean…

Contends that replacing administrators by teacher committees will not solve management problems and will give teacher unions too much power in the management of schools. (Author/TE)

Asserts that principals can improve student learning by sharing the leadership of instruction with teachers and parents thereby building leadership capacity. Describes characteristics of schools with high leadership capacity. Provides examples of building leadership capacity through the use of study groups, action-research teams, and leadership…