Points out the importance of effective group work in all aspects of education. Provides group members and leaders with 15 practical guidelines concerning member behavior in groups and task or structural characteristics of groups. Suggestions deal with issues such as communication styles, group maintenance, group size, and reaching consensus. (JHZ)

The authors state that if teachers and administrators are to be truly effective, the future context in which students will live and work is vital to understanding efficacy, and the emergence of new information tools offers alternative routes to efficiency. (CT)

Identifies educational management issues (staff management, professional-parent relationships, institutional effectiveness, the management/policy interface, and the role of the British Educational Management and Administration Society), considers current attitudes and practices, and proposes future directions. Stresses career development and…

Discusses a Belfast, Northern Ireland, secondary school's efforts to expand its age 16+ curriculum and investigates how internal communications and external negotiations were (mis)managed. The head teacher's lack of communication with his staff led to reluctant acceptance of a policy he was formulating and attempting to execute. More staff…

A case for "special-ordinary" education is made in the context of the Effective Schools Movement. Development and maintenance of the "Most Enhancing Environment" (rather than the Least Restrictive Environment) and appropriate goals are discussed. (JC)

Reports from 10 institutions that took part in the Preservice Teacher Education Improvement Project are presented. Each university or college lists and discusses goals and programs developed due to the Improvement Project. (DF)

Educational quality can be found in schools with creative teachers and supportive administration. The programs of eight effective elementary and secondary schools are described in this article. Each school has discovered innovative ways to motivate students toward skill and ability development. (DF)

Data from seven California elementary schools suggest that effective instructional leadership is both multidimensional and sensitive to school socioeconomic status (SES); in low SES schools, it involves direct supervisory activity and attention paid to school climate. Twenty-six reference notes are appended. (MLF)

Study of the behavior of a suburban superintendent with a statewide reputation as an educational leader revealed five ways in which the superintendent proved effective. Includes a review of the literature, a description of the methodology, and a discussion of the study's implications for training and selection of superintendents. (PGD)

The purpose of public education and the role of professional people who contribute to current educational problems are explored in this article. Schools often encounter failure due to the diffuse and sometimes contradictory goals that are pursued. (DF)

It is necessary to look at the political and symbolic side of schools when considering educational change. An argument for conceptual pluralism with a focus on understanding the culture of the organization is presented. (DF)

The organizational climate of a school influences personal interaction, student learning, and personal growth. Suggestions for improving the educational environment of schools are offered. (DF)

Teachers must be aware of how the movement for educational reform will change the structure of their jobs. Major areas of concern are teacher certification, salaries, merit pay, standards, curricula, and length of school day. (DF)

Theories of organizational effectiveness are examined for their application to higher education, and the competing values model for assessing college effectiveness is recommended as a research and administrative vehicle. (MSE)

Recommends that education agencies adopt "intermediate implementation goals" for reform and assess progress toward these goals, in order to satisfy political pressure for visible improvements and thus retain public support. (MCG)