Considers the notion of schools in a "spiral of decline," in which less popular schools within a market system lose numbers and increase their proportion of socially disadvantaged pupils over time. Using data derived from all secondary schools in England from 1989 to 1999, finds little evidence for any increase in the existence of such…

Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, is a large comprehensive high school restructured into four smaller academies that allow students a more personal learning environment. Positive growth is shown in test scores, dropout rates, and the narrowing achievement gap between minority and majority students. (MLF)

Examined the association between school connectedness and school environment, identifying ways to increase student connectedness. Data from the in-school and school administrator surveys of the National Study of Adolescent Health indicated that positive classroom management climates, participation in extracurricular activities, tolerant…

Uses an economic model of the provision of educational services to evaluate the efficiency of an urban educational system. Concludes that a voucher system would not promote efficiency and would increase racial and social segregation, but minischools and competitive contracting-out might aid the promotion of common social values. (FMW)

Examines relationship between school size and achievement. Correlates size and achievement factors, controlling for correlated variables. Finds no relationship between enrollment and achievement levels. Links academic achievement to percentages of Title I and ethnic students. Suggests academic achievement related to socioeconomic factors and…

A number of examples illustrate that large institutions, often criticized for not delivering high-quality undergraduate education, can use the faculty's applied research activities to improve the student experience. (Author/MSE)

According to the 21st annual Gallup/Phi Delta Kappa poll, the public favors school choice, a more standardized national curriculum, improvement of public school quality in poorer and innercity areas, reduction of class size in early grades, afternoon school and summer programs for children of working parents, and increased state and federal…

A discussion of the diversity of today's church-related colleges and universities looks at basic institutional characteristics such as Carnegie classification, range of denominational affiliation, enrollments, and tuition. Four taxonomies developed to classify and organize the wide range of church-related colleges are also examined. (MSE)

To investigate the association of 18 educational and other outcomes with 23 school and district characteristics, data were drawn from 293 public secondary schools in New Jersey. Findings suggest that smaller schools and districts may be more efficient in enhancing educational outcomes than larger schools and districts. (SLD)

The precision of the group-based item-response theory (IRT) model applied to school ability estimation is described, assuming use of Bayesian estimation with precision represented by the standard deviation of the posterior distribution. Similarities with and differences between the school-based model and the individual-level IRT are explored. (SLD)

Describes the methodology in school building capacity determination and reasons for its periodic reevaluation. Determinants of capacity include analysis of classroom function and size requirements as mandated by educational departments and building codes. Reasons for reevaluation include changes in educational programs, expansion of services, and…

The York-Finnish Project compares how national-policy changes affect implementation in two countries where curriculum reforms are moving in opposite directions. English primary schools were implementing National Curriculum changes while Finnish schools developed decentralized curricula. Teachers in both countries experienced negative…

Discusses the changing nature of rurality in Canada, due to increasing urbanization, and the need to redefine rural education. School district consolidation has resulted in larger schools and loss of community. Medium-sized schools have great affiliative advantages for students. Citizens should fight for the right to construct the kind of schools…

An Alberta high school principal describes the process of transforming a small vocational training school into an innovative school of science and technology. While preparing school plans, this principal learned the importance of open discussion. Community participants identified seven topics for further study that were later incorporated into a…

Investigates the relationship between student achievement gains and student body composition in Norwegian uppersecondary schools, using a multilevel model considering assignment of students to departments. Estimates a reference frontier to identify best school practices and efficient and inefficient departments. Student achievement varies…