Explores the effects of secondary schools, teachers, and classes on mathematics achievement in Flanders secondary schools. After controlling for within-class and school recruitment differences, finds that class-level group composition remains an important explanation of difference in mathematics achievement. Also finds that the school-level…

Examines methodological and data requirements for good-quality estimation of the education production function and reviews four UK studies that use pupil-level longitudinal data with a range of resource and control variables. These studies have produced some evidence of small resource effects on student outcomes and indicate the importance of…

Describes how a committee of five people (three selected by the Pennsylvania governor and two selected by Philadelphia's mayor) will manage schools in Philadelphia. Notes that because the revised U.S. Elementary and Secondary Education Act includes provisions for sanctions and takeovers for schools that fail to meet federal and state testing…

Proposes a set of procedures to help principals develop and clarify a school vision or mission statement, foster faculty ownership of the vision, communicate the vision to concerned constituents, and facilitate organizational trust by continuously reinforcing its major emphases. Includes sample mission and goal statements and three references.…

Despite being unremittingly attacked over the past decade, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) continues to thrive. The growth in SAT use has been stimulated by its critics and by Educational Testing Service and College Board promotional campaigns. The SAT is still erroneously used to summarize the quality of incoming classes and colleges. Includes…

Discusses positive developments occurring in the teaching profession and the changes needed to nurture them. Teacher empowerment does not mean banishing principals, but enabling teachers to participate in group decision-making and make key choices affecting their own work. Teachers have always been critical to effective schooling. (MLH)

Explains a California school district's successful development of school effectiveness policies to promote student achievement for all children. Milpitas Unified School District discovered that change must be clearly defined, clearly focused, and based on solid research. (MLH)

This article outlines some of the projects and activities which exist at New Hope Elementary School (MN). Discussed are parent awareness activities, use of positive reinforcement by school personnel, a reading incentive program, the gifted and talented program, career exploration for girls, and a peer assistance program for teachers. (IAH)

A description is given of a staff development effort in a vocational-technical school which involved school-based management teams and a series of retreats for the purpose of improving the school's climate and increasing its effectiveness. (JD)

Argues that educational professionals at all levels of the school system must demonstrate individual and collective leadership daily in order to effectively deal with the needs of students, staff, and communities. Discusses attributes of effective schools, and the pivotal role of principals in fostering school success. (SV)

Effective schools research and techniques are useful in developing dropout prevention strategies. The success of these programs depends on a school's adherence to certain variables asssociated with teacher and administrator characteristics and behaviors, school climate, instructional emphasis, and pupil progress measurement. Includes five…

An exploratory study of five high schools involved in the Connecticut State Department of Education's Secondary School Development Project suggests that student performance factors (early termination, academic achievement, and student attendance) may be linked to effective school characteristics. This article summarizes the mixed results of the…

Examines two parallel secondary school systems in Northern Ireland popularly described as "Catholic" or "Protestant" in effectiveness terms. A value-added approach to measurement of 16-year olds' performance on public examinations casts doubt on previous findings concerning the alleged superior performance of…

Describes the reading program at Ganado Primary School (selected as exemplary at the 1993 annual International Reading Association convention), part of a schoolwide literate environment that encourages children to become self-actualizing and self-assured learners. (SR)

University of Southern California researchers found that schools using school-based management most effectively organized themselves to restructure curriculum and instruction. Stakeholders had genuine authority over budget, personnel, and curriculum and used this authority to introduce changes affecting teaching and learning. Effective SBM schools…