The major transformation demanded by third-wave educational reform is replacing an incrementalist, ameliorist, and improvement orientation with dramatic new visions of schooling and society. According to Bela Banathy, the images (or designs) must be revolutionary, whereas the processes for attaining them must be evolutionary. "Design…

This article develops two perspectives on the Regular Education Initiative, the first drawing on two decades of research and practice to document and discuss understandings about school improvement. The second draws on the current movement to restructure schools. A reformist partnership between classroom teachers and special education is proposed.…

Today's calls for school restructuring demand a greater response than piecemeal tinkering. The impetus for total organizational change started over 30 years ago in Japan as industrial leaders adapted W. Edwards Deming's beliefs and strategies concerning psychology, systems, perceptual theoretical frameworks, and causes of variation. Quality…

Reports on a conference that examined the need for models of effective programs for limited-English-proficient secondary students, research and development on pedagogical approaches to teaching related issues, involvement by educators and researchers in school restructuring and reform, better accountability and assessment, and attention to…

Martin Haberman, a distinguished teacher educator who helped shape American educational reforms for 35 years, explains his current research interests and concerns. He favors development of "star teachers," alternative teacher certification programs, restructured schooling for six million urban children in poverty, and gentle teaching strategies.…

Explores policy issues related to structural changes in upper secondary education that have occurred with the 20-year increase in secondary and third-level school enrollment rates in Taiwan. Analysis suggests that a more unified secondary system must be established with better public funding and better articulation of all school types with the…

Teachers' perceptions of support provided for implementation of the New American Schools models in the Memphis City (Tennessee) school district are examined in relation to the effectiveness of these models. Via questionnaires and focus group interviews, teachers indicated professional development, teacher collaboration, and resources to be…

Examines the effectiveness of Accelerated School Programs (ASPs) on the basis of a study of four comprehensive schools in Israel. Assesses the influence of ASPs upon internal school processes, such as school goals, structures, and cultures, as perceived by school staff. Determines the project's impact on staff and parents' attitudes, and examines…

Describes a study of a staff development project in multicultural education involving teachers from two contiguous school districts, highlighting structural constraints to change. Interviews and observations indicated staff development for multicultural education should be part of a whole-school reorganization rather than a separate activity to…

An ethnographic study of two urban junior high schools in the beginning stages of school restructuring describes three culturally relevant teachers who create empowering educational experiences for low-achieving African American students. The restructuring process was not taking the wisdom of practice of these teachers sufficiently into account.…

Describes the development and implementation of a class on the topic of school change. The class was organized using the precepts of problem-based learning, believing that this was an effective way to reflect the reality of the environment in which school change occurs. (SLD)

Discusses ways that library media specialists can influence lifelong learning habits by collaborating with teachers on projects and activities that incorporate real-life applications. Based on readings from the whole-language philosophy and school-reform movement, presents examples from a high school; the examples stress authentic learning…

After verifying that the federally supported Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration (CSRD) program schools in the 7 states studied had a disproportionately high English Language Learner (ELL) population, we examined the understandings and guidance about ELLs that was included by those states' state education agencies (SEAs) in the policy…

In this era of education reform, school counselors are among educators being held accountable for the academic achievement of minority and poor children. School counselors in urban schools serve a disproportionate number of minority and poor children at risk for school failure. Urban school counselors can play critical roles in engaging their…

In Physics "critical mass" refers to the minimum amount of fissionable material required to sustain a chain reaction. The adoption of state education policy isn't often equated with this concept, but occasionally solutions and ideas seem to gather around a common problem. If the solution at hand is simple, easily understood, and…