During the 1990s, the school has become the center of blame. Policymakers seem more interested in identifying failing schools than celebrating successes. This paper uses case-study research on a once-innovative Ontario high school to show that "deadwood" schools do not kill themselves, but need outsiders' help. (42 references) (MLH)

Studied charter schools in California, using case studies and more than 450 interviews with teachers, administrators, parents, and community members. Focused on four assumptions usually made about charter schools to show that these schools are not, for the most part, the highly autonomous, accountable, and efficient schools of choice promised by…

Applies research on the adult work environment to schoolchildren's daily lives, using health survey data from 11-, 13-, and 15-year-old students in Finland, Latvia, Norway, and Slovakia. The most important school-setting predictor of students' perception of their academic achievement is satisfaction with school, teachers, and classmates. (59…

Many measures schools are implementing in response to recent violence will protect students but do little to address the complex social interactions that support violence. This article describes an approach that includes five research-based steps for creating safe and effective schools. This approach contains ways to help the learning environment,…

Explores some of the complexities involved in trying to uncover the determinants of school success. Focuses on two inner-city London (England) secondary schools. Addresses various differences between the schools in terms of management and teaching and considers the implications of the schools' social, material, and discursive environments. (CMK)

Discusses five assumptions regarding accountability and public schools: reporting to parents in the community, assessment techniques, school complexity, teaching and learning processes, and improving schools. Draws on accountability legislation and best practices in many states to offer viable possibilities to regaining public trust in education…

A study investigated the extent to which scores in Kentucky's statewide alternate assessment program for 60 students with severe disabilities correlated with measures of program quality and overall school effectiveness. Results indicated a significant relationship between overall program quality and scores, but not between scores and…

Describes developments in the state of South Carolina regarding school assessment and accountability. Outlines the mandates of South Carolina's Accountability Act of 1998 which focuses directly on "school accountability." (SR)

Beginning with the assumption that schools change reforms as much as reforms change schools, this paper argues that the judgment of a reform's success depends heavily on the criteria used to make the judgment. Criteria used by policymakers (effectiveness, popularity, and fidelity) and practitioners (adaptability and longevity) are identified and…

A study of 1,795 Belgian elementary students in 15 public and 25 Catholic schools indicated that Catholic schools influenced high academic achievement in children of low socioeconomic status to a greater degree than public schools did. (SK)

Presents findings of a study testing Creemers' model of educational effectiveness (stressing learning time and opportunity), using data from an evaluative study in mathematics involving 30 schools, 56 classes, and 1,051 pupils in Cyprus. Influences on pupils' achievement were multilevel; classrooms' net effect was higher than that of schools.…

The key to successful junior high to middle school transitions is participatory planning that involves all school-community members. This article discusses essential questions, describes the Howard County (Maryland) Public Schools' model approach, and stresses the importance of securing teacher commitment and know-how and evaluating the planning…

To establish an effective, collaborative work culture, the school and its members must embrace continuous improvement. Principals can use certain activities and leadership approaches to help establish a productive school culture. One Oklahoma middle-school principal involved faculty in creating a school vision and developing grade-level teaching…

Investigates the relationship between student achievement gains and student body composition in Norwegian uppersecondary schools, using a multilevel model considering assignment of students to departments. Estimates a reference frontier to identify best school practices and efficient and inefficient departments. Student achievement varies…

The framework of a study of organizational effectiveness in Australian higher education institutions was applied to a similar study in the United Kingdom. The approach was found useful for classifying U.K. institutions as classical universities, former polytechnics and colleges of advanced technology, and greenfield universities. (Author/MSE)