A key factor in the decline of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores (a factor that has been overlooked) is the concurrent decline in the availability of textbooks. The simultaneous decline of both SAT scores and textbooks suggests a strong cause-and-effect relationship. A recent study by the Ohio Education Association indicated that there are…

To explore the principal's role as instructional leader in school improvement strategies, this research brief focuses on characteristics of effective schools, a profile of effective principals, and a discussion with Dr. Steven Bossert, Associate Laboratory Director for Research and Development at Far West Laboratory in San Francisco, California,…

The following effective teaching practices identified by recent educational research are discussed: (1) carefully structured, sequenced, and paced instruction; (2) good classroom management; and (3) careful plans and decisions about goals, content, materials, and activities of instruction by teachers. Well-articulated instructional practices and…

This document reviews several approaches used to examine schools, evaluate their quality, or compare them to one another. The rationale and major purposes of each approach, the variables and processes employed, and the potential contributions of that approach to a comprehensive evaluation model are addressed. Six approaches are covered: (1) models…

Attending to the questions of how school leadership influences learning and achievement and what effective school leaders do, this document describes a measurement-based approach for studying and developing effective school leadership. The document details the conception, refinement, and psychometric properties of the Instructional Leadership…

The study used a multiple case study method to investigate the quality of the educational and social experiences of elementary-level and secondary-level children with disabilities currently integrated within the Australian regular school system. This second stage of the study used for its sample 23 children with intellectual disabilities, 18 with…

General directions in evaluating U.S. colleges and universities and problems that might be encountered in evaluating institutional quality are discussed. Eight guidelines for assessing institutional quality are also offered. Appendices consider the following five institutional evaluation approaches: educational audits, external consultant reviews,…

This monograph is part of a series disseminated by the Florida Institute of Education for the purpose of summarizing and describing collaborative progams and activities among the different levels and sectors of education. The mission of the institute is to plan and develop such activities in support of the improvement of public education. Seven…

Effective schools research offers administrators evidence of teaching methods that enhance student achievement; imparting this knowledge to faculty through staff development is essential. A solution to the problem of interrupting classroom time for staff development is to utilize teacher time in a nonthreatening method that is collegial in nature.…

Effective schools research has verified that schools are rarely effective unless the principal is a proficient instructional leader. This article summarizes five recent studies examining the practices and qualities comprising good instructional leadership. A Seattle study by Richard L. Andrews disclosed a statistical correlation between student…

The Effective School Battery (ESB) is a diagnostic tool used for assessing school climate and providing a sound basis for planning and evaluating school improvement programs. This paper provides a brief look at the development of the ESB and describes its basic features. The ESB serves for diagnosing problems, opening up communication, evaluating…

The Department of Education's Secondary School Recognition Program (SSRP) was developed to identify and recognize unusually effective public secondary schools and, through publicity and other means, encourage the emulation of their successful programs, policies, and practices by practitioners in other schools. This directory describes a small…

An overview of basic information needed for exercising educational leadership is provided in this handbook. The first section reviews demographic influences, economic influences, social and political forces, and what all of these influences mean for policy makers. The optimum conditions under which students learn are discussed in the second…

The use of metaphors to frame problems and gain insight into educational phenomena has received little attention in the literature. This study shows that principals' use of metaphoric language to discuss their work environment and instructional leadership roles is a valid means of understanding school administrator behavior. The study focused on…

The purpose of this Committee Print on Effective Schools is to add substance to Congressional deliberation on legislation which addresses school improvement as a priority on the national educational agenda. The report provides the written views of some of the nation's leading educators, who have made important research contributions in the area of…