The effectiveness of two five-point Likert response scales with different verbal anchors was compared. Four anonymous written questionnaires addressing characteristics of effective schools were developed. Each questionnaire was prepared in two formats, one with each response scale. The 4 questionnaires were composed of between 140 and 200 items. A…

This packet contains a research synthesis and six research-based articles on effective schooling practices, educational time factors, expectations and student outcomes, teaching questioning skills, improving student attitude and behavior, teaching and assessing writing skills, and staff development to improve student writing. The first five of the…

The unsatisfactory status of higher education in the United States has many explanations, such as the declining value of scholarship and academic ethos and the neglect of teaching obligations in favor of research duties. This paper posits another theory for the skepticism toward academic institutions: the general loss of confidence of the American…

To maintain public support, higher education in Missouri must make significant changes in the next few years, changes which will place the state's community colleges in a unique leadership position. Specifically, several pressing short, medium, and long-range issues facing the state's community colleges can be identified. Short-range issues…

Given that current redefinition of the principalship emphasizes instructional leadership, this document begins with a summary of previous research findings on effective school characteristics related to school improvement planning, program development, staff development, school assessment, and organizational culture with emphasis throughout on the…

In the United States today, policymakers and citizens believe that the quality of their schools must be improved. Reform policies and strategies are the focus of the first section of this report. The four areas identified are the perception and interpretation of the problems of quality, the methods of preparing reform or ad hoc measures, the main…

This collection of essays addresses issues related to basic literacy and mathematical competence in the United States. Articles include the following: "The Roots of Literacy" (David Hawkins); "Historical Perspectives on Literacy and Schooling" (Daniel P. Resnick); "Reconciling the Literacies of Generations" (William…

This paper describes the "District Level Indicators Supporting Quality Schools" and gives suggestions on the use of the instrument. The indicators were developed from research on effective schools and focus on activities and policies supporting quality schools. The instrument is a series of statements of goals, practices, policies, and…

Analyzed in this report is salient research on exemplary schools based on alternative models of identifying exemplary programs by expert judgment or by regression analysis. The conclusion is that characteristics of exemplary schools are remarkably similar regardless of how they are identified, supporting the view that the characteristics are…

The methodology, results, and implications of a study of instructional leadership styles of principals of four unusually successful inner city schools are outlined in this general summary. The principals studied were selected with the help of expert opinion and student test scores. Data comprise ethnographic observations and interviews of the…

Research-based strategies for improving educational quality with limited resources include: (1) leadership by school administrators in making better student performance in the basic skills a goal for schools, (2) increased time on academic tasks, (3) redesign of the instructional program to focus on basic skills, (4) improved teaching practices,…

Schools can change and become more effective in teaching the basic skills to all students, and states can help them. After 15 years of studying change in local school districts, researchers have identified a number of promising strategies for managing schools, training staff, providing technical assistance and developing new materials. Some of the…

This paper identifies and discusses components of successful magnet programs. It is based on a review of existing research literature and information gathered directly from school districts. First, the paper discusses separately the following elements, which are considered "core components": (1) leadership; (2) organizational structure; (3)…

This report describes the ways in which the Center for Minority Achievement works to reform public education for early adolescents in six New York City schools. It consists of edited conversations among the three central staff members of the program and vignettes and quotes from a school student and from staff affected by the program. These…

This collection of essays focuses on how Ronald Edmond's work on effective schools and school improvement can affect the education of black children. The book represents a cooperative effort of the Charles D. Moody Research Institute, established as a vehicle for the program services of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), and…