Drawing on research and development work in school effectiveness/improvement, this article argues that internal capacity is vital in developing and sustaining the teacher and organizational learning necessary to promote and enhance student learning. Organizational and external influences on internal capacity are discussed, along with…

Explains that the English Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) has built an extensive database of information through inspections of secondary schools. Analyzes various factors from database scales at the school and student levels through factor analysis. Explains that the findings indicate the usefulness of the OFSTED database for school…

"School Effectiveness for Whom?" (1998), edited by R. Slee and others, challenges the claims and silences of effective schools research and seeks more theoretically robust understandings. M. Thrupp's book "Schools Making a Difference: Let's Be Realistic" (1999) urges greater recognition of educational reform's limitations. Both…

Problems with J. Frymier's conception of accountability are discussed, and recent evidence is summarized that shows the strong connection between school and teacher effectiveness measurements and student achievement. Policy issues and cautions in using teacher effectiveness measures in teacher accountability systems are considered. (SLD)

Examines effects of teacher behaviors and classroom organization on 2,128 pupils' progress in mathematics in UK primary schools participating in a math intervention program. Using multilevel modeling techniques, finds that teacher behaviors could explain between 60 and 70 percent of pupils' progress on numeracy tests. (Contains 35 references.)…

Examines the current status of effective-schools research in the developing world and identifies underlying concerns, including effects of World Bank structural-adjustment policies. Posits a contextually related view of school effectiveness--the need to eschew "objective" checklists and gather different stakeholders' perceptions about…

This article proposes a model for evaluating inclusive schools. Key elements of the model are inclusion of stakeholders in the evaluation process through a participatory action research approach, analysis of program processes and outcomes, use of multiple methods and measures, and obtaining perceptions from diverse stakeholder groups. (Contains…

Argues the case for common national standards in K-12 public schools, explains why past national standardization efforts have stumbled, and explores what currently needs to be done as well as the perceived obstacles. The author concludes by explaining why the issue of common national academic standards is related to equality of opportunity. (GR)

Describes a 1992-93 research project involving 66 state schools that attempted to ascertain the overall effectiveness of school-based management in Victoria, Australia. Findings of the Likert-style survey revealed substantial participant satisfaction with school councils' current composition, information provision, and overall functioning. (20…

Examines information about honors programs and curricula in 38 community colleges. Explains why colleges have honors programs, what their goals are, and how they accomplish them. Honors programs encourage excellence but need balanced evaluative studies to succeed. Contains 51 references. (KC)

Using qualitative information (faculty meeting transcripts) and a survey, researchers showed that seven statements pertaining to parent-teacher communication at a large rural middle school were poorly rated. A subsequent survey showed improved teacher attitudes, thanks to a monthly newspaper, parent hotline, web page, and other changes. (Contains…

Discusses the foundation of Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, in 1948 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic religious community. Addresses the events over thirteen years leading up to the founding of the college, such as the foundation of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1935 in North Easton. (CMK)

Uses a new data set to consider the relative effectiveness of secondary schools in England and Wales. Once socioeconomic factors are considered, there is no evidence that students in Wales, whether taught in English or Welsh, do worse than their counterparts in England. Implications are discussed. (Contains 50 references.) (MLH)

Changing the culture of a college is the first and most critical step toward successful change. The Community College of Denver (CCD) has created a culture that is sustained by a heartfelt shared belief in the primacy of student success, and that has produced remarkable improvements in student success outcomes. (PGS)

Explores vocational-technical education and secondary specialized educational institutions in Russia. Presents the results from a sociological survey, in February through April 1996, focusing on the Moscow Technical College, a state-run, secondary, specialized educational institution providing graduates of ninth through eleventh grades a…