Reviews the emerging second wave of research generated by many different countries and relates findings about good school characteristics to broader managerial issues concerned with the actual implementation of effective schools research. School improvement programs should be school-based and "whole school"-oriented and dependent on outside…

Effects of cooperative group learning on students' motivation and achievement were studied for 62 high school students assigned to cooperative learning or traditional lecture groups. Greater gains were made in achievement, efficacy, valuing of algebra, and learning goal orientation for the cooperative-learning group. (SLD)

Describes a case study of an educational planner in an Ontario, Canada, school district who successful managed a crisis involving crowded schools, shrinking resources, and an identified need for dual-language education. Understanding and effectively handling political processes, community relations, and local values were critical. A visionary…

Reviews similarities in criticism of the treatment of women, minorities, and homosexuals by marital and family therapists. Examines the impact these critiques have had on the field and explores areas in which work is still needed. Contains 132 references. (JBJ)

This study, with 4 parent-child dyads in which the children (ages 9 to 11) exhibited substantial homework problems, found that goal setting and contingency contracting produced significant improvements in children's homework accuracy. Two of the subjects showed substantial improvements in on-task behavior. Parents rated the procedures highly.…

Examines how educators have overcome obstacles to school improvement and implemented recommendations in "Breaking Ranks" governing technology, personalization, and organization and time. Implementation often falters due to large enrollments, time factors, school goals, and traditional views of teacher roles, responsibilities, and…

When teachers become involved in induction programs like California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program, the principal's role becomes crucial. To support new teachers, principals can adjust working conditions, provide more release time for lesson planning, connect formative and evaluative assessment goals, and support collaborative…

Outlines 10 areas requiring teacher leadership in schools; discusses benefits for students, teachers, the school, and the principal; and lists impediments (workload, time, testing constraints, colleagues' disapprobation, and unsupportive principals). Determined, goal-driven teachers have the power to unlock one another's leadership potential and…

A Michigan State University group advising program designed to provide a more intrusive advising format for freshmen and sophomores on probation and reluctant to meet with advisors is described. The program has helped students better understand the skills needed to maintain academic excellence. Results of the activity suggest it has been a…

The purpose of this study was to investigate 8th graders with different learning styles their motivation outcomes after implementing 10 weeks (40 hours) inquiry-based teaching. Two hundreds and fifty four 8th graders were involved in experimental group, this group of students experienced inquiry instruction. Two hundreds and thirty two 8th graders…

In this age of heightened concern about teacher quality, calls for new policies and practices concerning recruitment, induction, and retention are familiar to many. The current enthusiasm for policies to recruit, support, and retain new teachers runs the risk of adding more clash and clang to an already cacophonous policy environment. In this…

This study examined situation-specific coping strategies of students with different achievement goals as they take part in inquiry learning. A case study was conducted in a Finnish elementary school. 21 ten-year-old students participated in the study. Two types of data were collected: (1) Students self-reported questionnaires on achievement goals,…

This case study illustrates the application of Mega--adding measurable value for all stakeholders including society--as the central and ultimate focus for needs assessment. In this case, two needs assessment studies were conducted within a five-year period (1999-2003) with the State of Ohio's Workforce Development (WD) program. An initial needs…

We review a plan that attracted the attention of public sector planners everywhere, Oregon's 1989 "Oregon Shines: An Economic Strategy for the Pacific Century". In particular, we focus on Oregon's aspirations for world-class workforce quality; a status that the state's planners argued would contribute to a host of other outcomes that…

Using the first phase of a longitudinal study of student leaders of the 2002 Midwest Bi-, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Allies College Conference (MBLGTACC), the authors explore the intersections of involvement in identity-specific leadership activities and development of LGBT/Queer identity. LGBT leadership experiences appear to have contributed…