Commonly held misconceptions about what a college must do or provide to recruit and retain minority groups students are discussed, including ideas about program design, course offerings, student aid, minority faculty members, and support services. (MSE)

Compares behaviors of superintendents in two neighboring small, rural school districts, one of which had exceptional student achievement. Concludes that the effective rural superintendent exhibits many of the behaviors observed in effective inner-city principals, and may be the pivotal figure in promoting effective rural education. (SV)

This article provides evidence regarding the effects of schools, teachers, and teaching processes on enhancing eighth grade mathematics achievement in Nigeria and Swaziland. Findings suggest that teaching quality (teaching practices) is more important than teacher quality (education, experience, certification) in determining student outcomes. (IAH)

Reports the results of a reanalysis of data from a major longitudinal database on school effectiveness. Finds the existence of differential effectiveness for prior measures of mathematics and reading achievement. Also finds marked differences in schools' rank positions and discusses the implications for the assessment of Britain's National…

Examines the nature of instructional capacity and its key components, and discusses the issues of improving human capital, quantity and quality of teaching resources, instructional cultures, and performance. A table is presented providing examples of capacity-building strategies at three system levels (that is, school, district, and state). The…

Examines educational services delivery to the entire school and to those who scored below the median on achievement tests in 242 Louisiana elementary schools. Results indicate that mean masking occurs in about 17 percent of schools, most frequently when schools do an above-average job of educating the lowest quartile. (SLD)

Argues for the development of school-wide reform plans derived from research on individual differences in learning and effective school practices. Data are presented from three urban schools where a systematic school restructuring effort enabled the establishment of strong family-school-community connections and effective and efficient delivery of…

Maintains that the issue of school autonomy is being discussed widely in Germany. Describes autonomy as greater independence within a framework of tasks that still must be defined and accounted for politically and legally. Examines possible consequences of school autonomy, including responsibility for results. (CFR)

Indiana school district saw need to improve elementary students' achievement test scores and made commitment to change culture to ensure that all students learn well. Staff, parents, community, and students were introduced to school improvement effort based on effective schools research. Efforts show significant academic improvements in Indiana…

Describes planning backwards, the Coalition of Essential Schools' educational policymaking strategy for high schools. The article discusses five possible dilemmas in planning backwards: outcomes or exhibitions, local or remote authority, rigid or flexible standards, apartness or authenticity in assessment, and curriculum scaffolds built of courses…

Critically examines the claims of the Effective Schools Movement, especially those that pertain to the issue of educational leadership. Offers a critique of the traditional school leadership paradigm, suggesting alternative ways to consider both leadership and the Effective Schools Movement through the perspective of critical educational theory.…

Reviews effective schools research in relation to Catholic schooling for African-American youth, and discusses major issues affecting the survival of urban Catholic schools. Those who benefit from Catholic schooling must plan ahead if these schools are to continue. Parent participation in political and fundraising activities is essential. (SLD)

Educational leaders can take specific steps to improve academic achievement during college, including increasing and improving student-faculty interaction; providing an integrated, mind-opening general education core curriculum; promoting student extracurricular activity; encouraging students to live on campus; and permitting individualized course…

Examines causes of and proposed solutions for urban education's current problems in part through a critique of "Savage Inequalities: Children in American Schools" (J. Kozol, 1991). More money will not solve all problems. Unions, bureaucracy, curriculum, and changes in and disintegration of the social order are also to blame. (JB)

School based management councils have been adopted voluntarily at several locations nationwide and has been legislated in 1988 for the Chicago (Illinois) Public School System. These councils aim to increase school productivity and community participation. Councils across the country share common features and all hope to improve school…