Tests an educational-effectiveness model by reanalyzing a large-scale dataset containing (Dutch) elementary school data of subsequent student cohorts, their teachers, and their schools. Researchers found some expected positive achievement effects of individual classroom and school factors, but these were unstable across school subjects and student…

Reviews literature on benefits of family involvement and barriers to its implementation. The literature supports a family-involvement model stressing six types of involvement (parenting, communication, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making, and community collaboration) developed by Johns Hopkins University's National Network of…

In fall 1999, teachers of two Wisconsin elementary schools met to discuss setting specific goals that are strategic, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound (SMART). Commonly used in government and industry, SMART goals are now helping educators evaluate their instructional processes and programs. (MLH)

Studied the joint influence of school and district size on school performance in 367 schools with 8th grades and 298 schools with 11th grades in Georgia. Findings show substantial cross-level influences of school and district size at 8th grade and weaker influences at 11th grade, with equity effects strong at both grades and with a distinctive…

Although South African educators can learn much from the emerging international literature on school improvement, apartheid's legacy has produced numerous difficulties. There are three major adversaries: an ill-defined moral purpose of education, shifting relationships, and lack of ownership. Supported by collaborative structures, schools must…

In a large-scale study of 94 (British) secondary schools' ability to promote academic achievement, researchers conducted case studies of six outlier schools and questioned headteachers and deputies about effectiveness processes. Results reveal considerable support for previously cited effective schooling characteristics. Pupil behavior and…

Explores whether standards-based reform can drive school improvement using data from two Canadian monitoring systems to illustrate the main points. Outlines some of the dilemmas associated with monitoring and offers suggestions about how to tighten the link between monitoring and learning. Whether performance based assessment increases student…

An evaluation of the Primary Education Quality Improvement Project in Indonesia illustrates that combining the knowledge base and methodology of educational effectiveness research and cost-effectiveness analysis provides fruitful possibilities for future theoretical/practical developments in both approaches. PEQIP positively affected student…

Presents three examples of large-scale school construction and renovation projects in France where a link has been established between school design and successful teaching and learning. Further discussed are the conclusions that can be drawn from these projects in preparatory work prior to building. (GR)

Describes the contributions cognitive perspectives can make to the study and practice of school leadership. These include redefining the meaning of effective leadership, changing the understanding of the knowledge base for effective leadership, and reforming the means for developing effective school leadership. Efforts to progress with each are…

This editorial addresses issues of evaluating school effectiveness, especially in the United Kingdom, with emphasis on use of value-added approaches. It stresses the importance of having a good measure of pupils' prior attainment, the need for noting differences between and within schools, and the finding that most schools obtain results which are…

Value-added measures of school effectiveness are reviewed in relation to the British government's requirement for schools to publish raw examination results. A series of multilevel analyses of examination results found that most variation in pupil outcomes could be explained by pupil intake factors suggesting the greater importance of…

Variations in the rates, school types, and successful school strategies employed were evaluated with 5 cohorts of pupils passing through 34 secondary schools in 1 British local education agency. The study used a multilevel analytical model which found about one in seven schools improved rapidly over the five-year period, but that differences in…

The Manitoba School Improvement Program Inc. (MSIP) acts as a "critical friend" to support risk-taking secondary school teachers. Suggested school improvement strategies include mobilizing staff commitment, broadening leadership and participation bases, and developing systematic inquiry for school self-evaluation. Successful schools are…

Examines the head of department's role within school and departmental improvement, considering the dimensions of the leadership role, the impact of types of departments on leadership potential, differential strategies for departmental improvement, and the relationship between departmental and school development. Argues for organization-wide…