Collaborations between schools and parents, and schools and other institutions, seek to improve or expand available resources. This issue of "Focus in Change" focuses on two elementary schools with different models of collaboration in place. At Columbia Park Elementary School (Maryland) parents have been involved in site-based management teams…

One of the primary methods of assessing institutional effectiveness is through the implementation of attitudinal surveys. In fall 1988 and fall 1989, surveys were administered to all employees of Cerritos College (CC) to examine employee attitudes about the institution and to collect demographic data about respondents. Among the 691 employees who…

An assessment of two pilot accelerated schools using the inquiry process model for the transformation of school culture and classroom practices in serving at-risk students is presented in this report. The inquiry process is a central feature of the accelerated school, a comprehensive school renewal initiative. The traditional approach to changing…

In February 1983, a symposium was held to ensure that multicultural and equity education issues are not left unattended in Washington State's public schools as new educational challenges present themselves. Participants were 80 individuals representing a cross section of geographic areas, ethnic groups, and key professions from 21 different school…

A study was conducted at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) to collect available information on indicators of institutional effectiveness. The study focused on the college's success in attracting students to MDCC, fulfilling students' expectations, meeting students' special needs, and retaining and graduating students. In addition, the study…

This study was designed to document the key factors in the success of 12 urban high schools that prepare students for specific occupational fields as well as for college entrance. Case studies were used to gather information from the schools in the New York City, Chicago, and Metropolitan Los Angeles school districts. The research yielded 10…

This paper applies the concept of educational partnership to the problem of drug use among students. The present structure of public education in the United States is critiqued, and a new structure based on shared responsibility of home, school, and community, and on the voice, educational choice, and loyalty of participants, is proposed. The…

The University of Phoenix has developed a comprehensive outcomes and impact assessment program to assess the effects of a university education on students, particularly adult students. The program is integrated with the existing process assessment systems. Process assessments, which the university refers to as the Academic Quality Management…

Determining the effectiveness of a school's programs and personnel, responding to the public's pleas for quality education, finding ways to enhance teaching and learning, and helping parents and the community to cope with the problems of raising children are all major tasks faced by principals. Ten issues of evaluation are considered in these…

The reflective practice of principalship differs from other ways of practicing principalship by viewing the principal's problems as unique rather than as standard problems susceptible to standardized solutions. This book provides information, raises questions, and considers the complexities of school problems, all as raw material for the…

A study of two neighboring rural school districts in New York State was undertaken to determine if differences in educational quality existed between the two communities--Applegate and Bakerville--and to identify factors affecting educational quality. Comparison of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics included racial and ethnic…

In order to develop a formula to measure effective schooling and student achievement, a number of reports on excellence in education were reviewed: (1) The National Commission on Excellence in Education's report, "A Nation at Risk"; (2) The Education Commission of the States Task Force on Education for Economic Growth report; (3) The…

In 1984 and 1985, professional personnel from each college in Alabama were asked to assist the Alabama State Board of Education in resolving long-standing issues and concerns. This progress report summarizes the Alabama College System's accomplishments during this period. Following introductory comments by the chancellor and a list of the members…

Owners of all types of real properties, especially owners and occupants of big city downtown properties, have a high investment in the educational quality of the local labor force, and should encourage improvement even if it results in increased property taxes. Every real estate investment is "locked in" to the specific geographic…

The purpose of this paper is to identify those programs and processes currently using the components, factors, and behaviors that have been described in the literature as characteristic of more effective schools, and to synthesize findings from these programs and processes carrying out effective schooling practices. Following an introduction,…