There are no easy solutions to the problem of building an outstanding basic skills program for handicapped children. This article analyzes reasons why children fail, describes the characteristics of outstanding schools and explains how teachers and administrators can achieve excellence. (Author/CB)

Reviews current practices in middle schools. Includes a listing of 24 practices used in effective middle schools extrapolated from a survey of literature on effective schools. (MD)

The principal assigned the task of transforming a "disruptive" junior high school into an effective middle school describes problems encountered and steps taken in the areas of staff development, shared power, the accountability system, human relations, academic enrichment activities, and articulation and improvement of attitudes toward the…

Discusses staff development for effective teachers and principals and describes a staff development program implemented in Jackson, Mississippi, which resulted in improved student achievement. (GC)

Describes an approach to school improvement designed by the New Jersey Education Association's Urban Education Committee. The program combines a school diagnosis based on effective schools research with teacher participation in the planning and implementation of new policies, programs, and procedures. (GC)

Uses research findings to show when educational leaders can use humor to increase their effectiveness and how they can use it more effectively. (FL)

Research on effective schools is limited by the same weaknesses that hamper research on effective organizations. Examining two competing frameworks for studying organizational effectiveness, this report proposes a general model of school effectiveness. The model was enacted and studied in one school and was found to be effective. Includes two…

School Centered Management (SCM) focuses on the school as the center of all management endeavors. Systematic delegation, support, and accountability are parts of SCM's situational approach to management. (MLF)

Ten guidelines formulated to assist policy decision makers in developing system-wide approaches to creating strong and effective language programs are discussed in this article. (DF)

Many guidelines for school improvement have emerged from recent research and experience. The connected issues of school improvement and staff development are explored. Guidance for staff development as a part of school improvement is delineated. (DF)

Looking back in history may help teachers revitalize their teaching. Books written in the past offer effective strategies to be used in today's classrooms. Several of these books and their philosophy of education are explored. (DF)

Critiques four recent reports on the status of education in America: "A Nation at Risk,""Action for Excellence,""Making the Grade," and "High School: A Report on Secondary Education in America." Emphasis is on the reports' agendas for the social studies. (RM)

Provides a synopsis of effective schools research and how the findings are being implemented in other schools. (HTH)

Argues the need for leadership at the state level as a necessity in improving educational quality. (FL)

The author argues that it is time to move beyond definitional activities in research related to effective schooling. Four new challenges to researchers are suggested: indicators of effectiveness; extending effectiveness to new contexts; staff development; and information processing. (MT)