An index of the effectiveness of classrooms, schools, districts, or other educational units can be developed by, first, determining the differences between the actual achievements of individual children and the achievements expected on the basis of regression equation predictions and, second, averaging these differences for all children in the…

A study of 760 individuals was conducted in Iowa to discover attitudes towards public elementary and secondary education. The primary focus was to measure the attitudes and opinions of the general public regarding the nature, quality, and organization of education. A secondary goal was to identify concerns and problems, as well as to suggest…

This resource guide is designed to summarize the relevant research and practical information currently available to administrators on school effectiveness. The guide consists of two major sections to aid in the development of planning skills and the implementation of programs to increase student and teacher performance. The first section details…

Previous research on principals as instructional leaders has been confined mostly to elementary schools and has disclosed little information regarding the specific behaviors used by principals in instructional leadership roles. This study focuses on high school principals' behaviors and attempts to determine the behavior differences between…

Based on examination of available literature, this report discusses factors that have been found to be correlated with the effectiveness of black colleges and universities. Identified among such factors are: (1) adequate financial support; (2) satisfactory living conditions and security; (3) good quality of instruction; (4) academic support and…

In attempting to document similarities between effective school practices and the provisions of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142), this report reviews the literature on school effectiveness and relates specific recommendations for classroom and schoolwide practices to those services now mandated for special education…

Analyzes the kinds of power principals have and their importance in determining the effectiveness of a school. Includes a proposal for the selection of principals and teachers. Good teachers should be involved in selecting principals and principals should be selected from the ranks of a school's teachers. (MD)

A group of university personnel and public school superintendents in Kansas believe it is time to reexamine the role and function of existing partnerships to increase the quality of education. Public schools and universities are more influential and effective when working as partners rather than as independent agencies. (JOW)

If schools and their programs are to prepare youth for tommorrow's world, principals today must be "dreamers of the dreams," advises this educator. He provides a rationale for his imperatives, followed by specific steps that principals should take. Includes three pages of references. (Author/MD)

South School, Glencoe, Illinois, is located in a neighborhood of high achievers. Teachers, parents, and the principal work together to make school exciting. Outstanding features of the school are its science curriculum and its developmental first grade for students who are young for their age. (MT)

The best elementary schools celebrate individual differences among students. Mindful of the need for creative adaptation, this article summarizes qualitative indicators of effective schools, including happy environment, varied learning styles, mutual regard between children and adults, school readiness and enthusiasm, well-articulated mission,…

Most students approach learning by asking "Gottanodat" to direct their efforts and concluding with "Whatjagit?" How this same strategy can be used to benefit a school and to explain current measurement and testing problems is briefly discussed. (MT)

This article reviews the school effectiveness movement from inception to its current state, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of research and implementation literature, and discusses the appropriate role for state and federal government in fostering school effectiveness. (MT)

Investigates questions regarding Alfred North Whitehead's educational rhythm. Focuses on the concept of periodicity as the essence of Whitehead's universal system and less technical thoughts on learning. (DF)

Reviews the changing characteristics of school effectiveness research from the 1950's to the 1980's, noting conceptual and methodological problems plaguing the research. States that future studies should define school effectiveness more carefully and thoroughly, and adopt more sophisticated research techniques for identifying process variables.…