Reviews selected research literature on the size of school effects compared with teacher effects. Analysis does not confirm general impression that teacher effects outweigh school effects. Discusses reasons for this conclusion. (Contains 31 references.) (PKP)

Pervasive mistrust in societal institutions may be keeping many community members from participating in forums on public education's future. If our democracy is to function, we must dispel distrust by talking face-to-face to one another. There is something especially meaningful about conversing one-on-one or in small groups about fundamental…

Examines empirical research on school in developing countries. Reports large between-school variance, strong influence of material and human-resource input factors, and limited impact of instructional conditions. Discusses contextual challenges to the school-effectiveness model. Explores the use of the school-effectiveness knowledge base for…

Studied two effective school improvement programs in elementary education in the Netherlands. Although the programs had the same goals, their strategies were different. Identified successful characteristics of both programs and found evidence for the success of both approaches. (SLD)

The London studies of school effectiveness in the 1970s provided evidence that the qualities of schools made a significant difference to pupil progress. This article reviews the further evidence that has accumulated since then in order to assess how far the findings have been confirmed or refuted, what new questions have arisen and what key…

The author envisions schools as communities of learners. A school's quality, character, and student accomplishments depend heavily on collegiality, or the nature of its adult relationships. Other factors include encouragement to take risks, choice and commitment, respect for diversity, space for philosophers, a sense of humor, and leadership…

Although there is no way to keep all teachers in a school happy, it is possible to maintain morale by avoiding conflict. This article distinguishes among types of conflict (episodic, continuous, and terminal) and describes four conflict situations involving personal feuding, persecution by superiors, cooperation breakdowns, and ideological…

How state educational authorities in Kentucky use statewide test data to rank the state's 178 school districts was studied, using data from the "Kentucky Essential Skills Test: Statewide Testing Results" (1987). The methods used, means of refining those methods, the fairness/accuracy/validity of resulting interpretations, and problems…

Discusses how businesses can help improve the effectiveness of schools. Types of involvement include funding projects, establishing endowments, funding scholarships, offering financial aid counseling, establishing job-guarantee programs, and providing opportunities for faculty development. (JOW)

Personnel references, comprising a major component in the employee screening and selection process, are viewed from three perspectives: types of information contributed, use of such information in decision-making, and legal implications of contributing the information. Advice is provided for reducing the probability of a successful suit. Includes…

The typical Amish school is a one-room schoolhouse without electricity or running water; the teacher has never attended high school; the students are not separated by age, grade, or ability. Yet Amish pupils consistently score equal to or slightly above the national norms on standardized tests. Their success may be due to emphasis on social…

The National Association of Secondary School Principals' Comprehensive Assessment of School Environment (CASE) Model is an important first step toward making an information management system available to schools. It can provide principals with a tool analogous to the spreadsheet planning programs used by business executives. Includes four figures…

This article describes some of the strategies adopted by Keyes Elementary School (K-5) in Irving, TX. Students represent about 10 different languages and populations. Attendance, raising math test scores, and staff selection are highlighted. (IAH)

Many proponents believe school choice is the single strongest idea to transform public education. Choice can help parents find a better school for their children or improve the school their children now attend. Secondary schools can improve themselves by offering students and parents choice of teachers, behavior-management plans, curriculum…

Principle-centered discipline is based on creating a climate of high expectations for the desired student behavior. When discipline problems persist, reevaluate school rules, punishments, and rewards in light of the principles that underlie the discipline plan. Such a policy requires broad support from the school board and staff. (MLF)