The School for the Physical City (SPC) is 1 of 50 new public schools established in New York City since 1993. Like many, SPC offers small classes, greater teacher-student interaction, and a rigorous curriculum, but depends on some private financial support. However, it remains questionable whether the City cares enough about reform to finance…

Presents observations of small district school boards based on travels through 21 states. Small communities have faced economic decline, a changing membership of school boards and consolidation, with less representation of professionals and business leaders. Recommended tasks of school boards involve (1) facilitating communication; (2) forming…

Examines the success of two Massachusetts charter schools in educating at-risk students. The author compares the history, organizational structure and governance, graduation success, enrollment levels, and student composition of each school. (GLR)

Examines the special characteristics of small rural schools and stresses the importance of programs preparing teachers to teach in rural areas. Describes a program at Bishop University that provides preservice and inservice education for rural educators in Quebec. Includes additional suggestions for meeting the professional development needs of…

Describes a teacher inservice program promoting instructional improvement, more effective schools, improved school climate, and application of current theory in the Nipawin School Division in Saskatchewan (Canada). Results with 49 teachers between 1986 and 1990 suggest positive effects of this 21-day Host Classroom theory, observation, practice,…

Elk City, Idaho, instituted an arts program in its small K-10 school with grant and community funding. An arts facilitator organized a visiting-artists program and trained teachers to recognize different learning styles and integrate art, literature, and music into the curriculum. Self-esteem and test scores have risen, and the community is…

Explores the role and significance of co-operation, or clustering, between small primary schools in rural areas across England and Wales. Describes small-school cluster groups in detail and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of clustering based on the opinions of sample headteachers. Considers the future of cluster co-operation. (Contains…

Describes a pilot curriculum at the Peddie School, an independent preparatory school in rural New Jersey, designed to achieve cost-effective school reform through technology. Elements include student use of laptop computers, cooperative learning, block scheduling, off-campus studies, and interdisciplinary units. The school's information network is…

Surveys of small, mostly rural, schools in Ontario (Canada) and New South Wales (Australia) found remarkably similar responses from the two locations with regard to the creation of school councils; membership; council's role in policy making, policy advice, budget functions, and accountability; how councils benefit their schools; and council…

A study of the financing of 96 small rural K-8 and K-12 Missouri school districts found that it was more difficult to support small rural high schools than small rural elementary schools. Small K-12 districts could convert to K-8 districts and contract with adjoining districts to instruct their high school students. (TD)

There is a vast body of literature on school size but comparatively few high quality empirical studies comparing outcomes in schools of different sizes. This systematic review synthesizes the results of the published research from 31 studies on the effects of secondary school size from OECD countries since 1990. Overall the directions and patterns…

This report is one of nine detailed case studies of small urban high schools that served as the foundation for the Education Resource Strategies (ERS) report "Strategic Designs: Lessons from Leading Edge Small Urban High Schools." These nine schools were dubbed "Leading Edge Schools" because they stand apart from other high…

Globally, the increasing breakdown of economic systems is resulting in decreased government responsibility for health, welfare, and education and is placing growing demands on communities. Government policies in Australia are moving toward self-managing schools that require strong community support and involvement. On the other hand, some policy…

This digest summarizes research in the affective and social realms that overwhelmingly affirms the superiority of small schools. Findings on the affective and social effects of school size are extensive and highly consistent, while the research base on outcomes of schools-within-a-school arrangements is smaller and less conclusive. While many…

The two issues of the journal SKOLE for 1993 contain original articles and reprints about small alternative schools, home schooling, school as community and community as school, racial and class inequalities in public schooling, and various educational philosophies and innovations. Major articles include: (1) "School As Community:…