An underachieving middle school in the urban South, currently in the second of a 5-year curriculum development project, is the subject of analysis by the participant curriculum consultant. The names of the school and all participants have been changed to preserve anonymity. Field notes, school documents, formal interview notes, questionnaires, and…

This report examines three performance-based funding (PBF) plans: (1) merit pay for teachers and/or administrators; (2) career ladders; and (3) formula-driven incentive payments to schools. The report contends that present-day problems in public schools result largely from the organizational structure of the educational enterprise. Being based on…

Three methods that can be used subsequent to a regression analysis to determine the relative effectiveness of schools are Dyer's Performance Indices, Scheffe's hyperbolic confidence bands, and Gafarian's linear confidence bands. These methods were applied to data from 54 hypothetical schools randomly generated from a multivariate normal…

This article begins with an evaluation of the economic performance of precollege schooling, and then looks at the four levels of formal public schooling: High school, middle school, elementary school, and preschool, distinguishing among students at high and low performance levels. Educational improvements at each level are suggested. (MT)

In discussing the need to restructure school programs and more completely integrate students with special learning needs into regular school programs, the problems of classification of students in special education and overlapping services and programs are presented. Includes a table featuring effective classroom environments and a reference list.…

Discusses new research directions for school finance that should accompany a national policy shift toward improving education quality. Traces the evolution of school finance, outlines school finance topics related to recently enacted state education reforms, and projects future education policy isues and related financial research problems.…

Outlines the gains made to date from school/business partnerships and analyzes limits of such partnerships in relation to individual school needs, reform efforts, and costs. Speculates about the effect of involving private vendors in the work of education. (CJH)

School effectiveness indices based on regressing achievement test scores onto earlier scores and a socioeconomic status measure were obtained for South Carolina students in grades one to four. Results were unstable across grades, and grade-to-grade correlations were more significant for mathematics achievement than for reading. (Author/GDC)

Outlines a proactive school organization model useful for special need populations (handicapped, and linguistically and culturally different learners) because it enables all participants to collaborate on a systematic, four-phase change process: data collection, needs assessment, development of interventions, and evaluation of outcomes. The focus…

Studies show that programs designed with a strong parent involvement component produce students who perform better than those participating in identical programs with less parental involvement. However, parents and educators disagree about the value of different parental roles. This article examines pertinent issues and future research directions.…

This article reports an exploratory study of 12 instructionally effective school districts which were identified on the basis of high student achievement. Seventeen characteristic themes were identified and are discussed, including curricular and instructional characteristics and organizational dynamics. (JL)

Reviews concepts of effectiveness appearing in the literature as a context for discussion of changes necessary as community colleges move from concern with enrollments to outcomes. Defines alternatives open to colleges in terms of organizational culture. Identifies five strategies used by colleges in pursuit of increased effectiveness. (DMM)

Study of 23 Black university women and White university women in the American South suggests that the school provides an important setting for learning status quo gender roles. But, in distinction to the case for class and race, gender roles are not a primary target of women's opposition. (Author/BJV)

Describes how one inner city school involved its teaching staff in developing a plan to improve the learning environment. A "building action plan" was developed to serve as the framework for the school improvement process. (CJH)

Uses a five-factor model to determine the relationship between certain Rotterdam primary school characteristics (specifically the school climate) and the effectiveness of education. Concludes that, since only one of the criteria of effectiveness was met, this instrument is not suited for determining differences in those characteristics of school…