This action research project describes a program for decreasing disruptive behaviors in the classroom and encouraging children to be more respectful of others. The targeted population was sixth- through eighth-grade students in a Midwestern suburb. The problems of disruptive behaviors and lack of respect were documented using teacher and student…

As part of ongoing research into rural school improvement, the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) at the request of its Rural Advisory Council set out to find, examine, and profile exemplary, successful school improvement programs in rural schools and districts in the upper Midwest. This paper is a summary of the first year…

This bulletin contains a report on the development of the rural junior high school. Since their introduction in 1909, junior high schools have steadily advanced in the favor of school administrators, and they now seem likely to cause a revolution in the organization of American secondary education. Among many other advantages claimed for them, it…

Are you curious about the Reggio Emilia approach but not quite sure where to begin? "Working in the Reggio Way" helps early childhood teachers bring the reflective, high-quality practices of Reggio Emilia to American programs. Based on an American teacher's experience observing and working in the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, this…

This paper presents and discusses data based on the perceptions of 128 persistent school absentees on their initial and continued reasons for missing school. The findings suggest that a greater proportion of the students were inclined to blame their institutions, rather than social or psychological factors, for their behavior. (SSH)

The schools are discussed as character-building institutions, where academic and behavior standards should encourage self-discipline and learning. Less emphasis on ego-building psychology, removing nonessential subjects from the curriculum, and increasing quality at the elementary and secondary school levels are viewed as corrective measures. (PP)

Among 13 indicators of high school quality are planned and board-approved curricula, strong graduation requirements, strong courses beyond the basics, positive school climate, good attendance, low dropout rates, high per-pupil expenditure, low pupil-teacher ratio, superior library and media resources, good faculty, caring principals, and high…

This colloquium presents seven analyses by social scientists of the controversial report, "Public and Private Schools," together with a response by the report's authors, James Coleman, Thomas Hoffer, and Sally Kilgore. (SK)

Recommends that schools experiment with a comprehensive formative evaluation system suggested by "A Study of Schooling" by John Goodlad and his associates. The system includes periodic assessment of such things as student achievement, teaching practices, class climates, adult working environments, and parent attitudes. (Author/JM)

Describes a study which explored the relationship between sex role perceptions of physical educators and their attitudes/expectations regarding female participation and performance in various physical activities. Also examines sex of teachers versus teachers' self-definition of their sex role as a determinant of curriculum objectives valued.…

The liberal consensus that has shaped national education policy is seen as succumbing to dubious ideas and undesirable practices. Issues discussed include: educational equity, equality and quality; measures of educational achievement; accountability; "need" and ability; statism and monoply, pluralism and diversity; federal role; and…

Observations and questionnaires were used to explore attitudes and behaviors of school staff that might influence student behavior differentially in secondary schools with high and low suspension rates. Students, teachers, and administrators in low suspension schools all judged school climate more positively than did their counterparts in high…

Offers a comparative framework for school organizations which illustrates tacit differences in teacher role expectations inherent in unique types of organizations. Expresses the central idea that the effective classroom teacher's role is operationally defined by the organizational system in which the teacher functions. (CSS)

Two issues were studied: students' perceptions of various situational influences of the school environment with regard to locus of control, and the relationship of situational influences to academic achievement. Situational influences involving parents, parental interaction, or home environment were most related to achievement. (MH)