Discusses how to prevent discouragement in disadvantaged students. Because systems cause at-risk students to feel inadequate, the article suggests only systemic change can repair the problem. Too many students lose in the present reward-and-punishment evaluation system. Effective schools must make students believe they have equal educational…

To ensure that teacher evaluation and supervision systems encourage improved job performance, there must be high expectations for teachers. Job descriptions and evaluation forms must have specific performance criteria and standards. The article discusses development and implementation of performance criteria and standards which can lead to…

Two methods for constructing differentiated school norms and computing percentile ranks for school mean achievement accounting for demographic background factors are illustrated. These methods, which account for socioeconomic conditions that are beyond the control of the school, are applied to two large samples of schools (n=1,573 and n=797,…

Higher education and public policy leaders need to reconsider how and whether the multicampus form of organization can continue to be useful. Issues include whether multicampus systems respond effectively to social, economic, demographic, and technological change; real costs; vulnerability to political influence; how leadership functions; and the…

Discusses one example of successful school restructuring by means of an examination of California's Bowling Green Elementary School. Key contributing elements discussed are having a low student-to-teacher ratio; using integrated thematic instruction; developing an efficacy approach; mastering adopted standards; and developing site-based decision…

Examines the success of two Massachusetts charter schools in educating at-risk students. The author compares the history, organizational structure and governance, graduation success, enrollment levels, and student composition of each school. (GLR)

Time sampling data from 392 fifth to ninth graders from working-class and middle-class suburbs of Chicago (Illinois) show high rates of boredom within and outside of school. High boredom correlates with high ability and with oppositional behavior (when ability is controlled), but not with onset of adolescence. (SLD)

Compares school, classroom, and student level data for matched pairs of high- and low-achieving rural schools and matched pairs of urban schools. Finds that organizational and interpersonal processes sustaining effective schools vary by rural/urban context. Includes three longitudinal case studies of rural schools. Contains 26 references. (SV)

Discusses educational conditions resulting from South African apartheid and its sociopolitical manifestations through a synopsis of case studies, emphasizing the pivotal role of the principal in relation to characteristics of effective schools. Analyzes the challenges to local schools posed by apartheid and provides suggestions for new…

The issue of differences in U.S. and Japanese academic achievement clearly cannot be resolved through reference to data from the Second International Mathematics Study alone. Points of difference between Baker's analysis and that of the author define key policy questions surrounding middle school mathematics. (SLD)

As Westbury acknowledges, both intended and implemented (delivered) curricula are at the heart of educational effectiveness. U.S. and Japanese achievement patterns are discussed in light of the Second International Mathematics Study. Many things that Americans like about their school systems may come at a price evident in international…

Explores relationships among school contextual indicators, principal leadership, and student achievement outcomes through a survey of 156 secondary school teachers in 26 Singapore schools. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical and practical significance for the study of principal's leadership and the ways it influences outcomes of…

Describes a teacher inservice program promoting instructional improvement, more effective schools, improved school climate, and application of current theory in the Nipawin School Division in Saskatchewan (Canada). Results with 49 teachers between 1986 and 1990 suggest positive effects of this 21-day Host Classroom theory, observation, practice,…

Using a schooling model and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) data for 79,428 Californian students, questions raised by school comparisons based on SAT results were addressed: the role of demographic/academic characteristics in student SAT participation, and the relationship of participation rates and examinee/school demographics to SAT performance.…

Investigates the role of social studies department heads and principals in five schools involved in a project studying higher-order thinking skills. Identifies similarities and differences between department heads and administrators. Develops indicators of the success of the five schools in promoting higher-order thinking in social studies…