This case study presents findings from a year-long ethnographic study of an innercity elementary school principal. It concludes one of seven studies conducted in elementary and intermediate schools in urban, suburban, and rural settings to investigate the instructional management role of principals. Although previous research offers disparate…

This report addresses the issue of the differing levels of educational success experienced by college students of various racial-ethnic backgrounds, through evaluating the feasibility of developing an educational equity assessment system to provide information on perceptions of California campus climate. The report examines the nature of campus…

This document consists of a series of loosely related articles and essays each describing various aspects of the author's vision of public education in the United States in the twenty-first century. The titles of the included materials are: "Looking in on 21st Century Public School Education in America"; "Teaching/Learning in the…

It is argued that a reformulation of reading and writing in the elementary grades can integrate the following three buzzwords of American education: (1) students at-risk for school failure; (2) the whole-language movement; and (3) restructuring. Critical literacy can serve as the centerpiece for empowering teachers and administrators as…

After reviewing definitions of school climate with emphasis on the four dimensions of school climate described by Tagiuri (1968), this document examines factors within Tagiuri's school culture and social system dimensions as manifested in the climate of average elementary and secondary schools and as they affect low achievers. Variables examined…

One of a series of social studies curriculum guides, this publication outlines a first grade course on "school and the family." Material is presented in two parts. Part 1 contains an overview of the program. An introduction and statement of philosophy precede the following sections: an outline of grades 1-6 scope and sequence;…

This handbook draws attention to the problem of dropouts in Massachusetts and offers solutions to increase the chances that all students will succeed. It suggests the need for systemic, school-based changes to foster learning environments that meet the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs of all students and staff. The handbook is…

The five chapters of this book on teachers' need and responsibility to prepare themselves for criticisms and attacks on their teaching methods and materials deal with the scope of censorship issues, the significance of academic freedom, recent judicial rulings, school-community tensions, and case studies of censorship cases. The first chapter,…

For schools, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) initially represented a policy problem requiring legal and public health experts to assess their ability to exclude students or staff infected with the human immuno-deficiency virus. As the crisis over the potential presence of people with AIDS in the schools abated and with the growing…

An examination of the impact of principals' administrative styles on school climate and culture to explain the discrepancy between observed and quantitative analyses in principal evaluations is the purpose of this study. A 3-year study of four secondary school principals utilized qualitative methodology (observation and interviews) and…

Teachers participating in a 12-month study investigating teacher response to computer innovation in the classroom reported several factors as influential in determining how computers are incorporated into classroom routines: the support they received; private and public expectations for the teacher and the school; ministry and board guidelines;…

Japanese children's performance in school is a product of a social consensus favoring attention to children's learning, a set of cultural values focusing on the commitment of effort, and a psychological milieu in the family which encourages achievement in a safe and nurturant atmosphere. This paper treats especially this latter environment, that…

Documented effects of relaxed school disciplinary standards show the need for implementation of strict, consistent disciplinary measures. Poor school discipline endangers students and staff, contributes to teacher burnout, hinders student education, costs taxpayers, and encourages criminality both in and out of school. Students rights advocates…

Discipline is essential to quality education. A blueprint for classroom discipline is presented that is designed to restore discipline in the classroom. The plan calls for the participation and cooperation of parents, teachers, administrators, the school board, and the students. The plan is based on principles such as: (1) school administrators…

A 20-item questionnaire determined and compared attitudes of 996 public school teachers and administrators in 83 rural Tennessee counties concerning curriculum development, course content, school environment, individualized instruction, philosophical parameters, student evaluation, and extracurricular activities. Both teachers and administrators…