Unfortunately, the relationship between school-effectiveness research and school improvement is troublesome. This article explores and advocates a stronger linkage between effectiveness and improvement. Such links may be achieved by better-guided processes of application and knowledge reconstruction during effectiveness research and improvement.…

Compared two experimental teaching strategies (hierarchical knowledge structuring and semantical networking) with traditional worksheet approaches used in (German) fourth-grade classes studying the mallard's adaption to its environment. Findings showed no significant effect favoring the experimental approaches over the traditional method. However,…

Examined the relationship between achievement and learning styles of middle school students. Subjects were chosen from one urban middle school and were asked to complete the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Dunn & Dunn Learning Style Inventory. Found that traditional classroom settings may not provide sufficient environmental options to enable…

Revisits key school effectiveness measurement issues: difficulties in evaluating school effectiveness from behavioral data due to observation/measurement problems; evidence on marginal values of schooling outputs and schooling production relations; methodological issues in underlying studies and their carryover to cost-benefit estimates; and…

Reviews the literature on what works in school improvement in the UK. Outlines the practices that appear to be necessary--in terms of organization, culture, leadership, and ethos--to improve the levels of effectiveness. Appended is an outline of a number of particularly effective school-improvement projects. (Contains 22 references.) (WFA)

In the United Kingdom, school-effectiveness research has significantly influenced both policy and practice. Research demonstrates considerable methodological sophistication, with axiomatic use of multilevel modeling, cohort studies, multiple intake and outcome measures, and limited attempts to analyze instructional processes. The historic split…

Through the standard error, rather than a reliability coefficient, generalizability theory provides an indicator of the uncertainty attached to school and individual scores on performance assessments. Recommendations are made to apply generalizability theory to current performance assessments, emphasizing practices that differ from usual…

Highlights the innovative programs and exemplary practices of seven schools: Wahlert High School and Prairie Rich School in Iowa; Randels Elementary School, Kalkaska Middle School, Hartford High School, and Detroit Kettering High School in Michigan; and Navajo Nation's Dennehotso Boarding School. Details the efforts undertaken at each school. (AJL)

Discusses the policy context of the examination results of secondary schools published by the quality daily national press in England. Addresses the published results, how they are used by parents making preferences for secondary schools, and the consequences of their publication. (CMK)

Compares the relationship between large scale assessments and positive development of schools and instruction. Discusses strategic orientations to further quality of school systems and outlines possible starting points for the future development of individual schools. Probes the demands of a specific type of research that combines analysis and…

Points out the potential in a neo-institutional perspective as applied to school organization. Sketches the theoretical foundations and current developments of sociological neo-institutionalism. Discusses the German school system and plans for school reform. Shows that from a neo-institutional perspective, school sector offers a variety of fields…

Shoreham-Wading River Middle School in Long Island, New York, is a place where team teaching, experiential learning, teacher participation, and teachers lunching with students are everyday events. Youngsters do community service, work on a small school-owned farm, take trips to explore career options, and almost never cut school. Strong faculty…

Applies Tom Peter's "thriving on chaos" concept to schools suffering from "innovation overload" due to educational reform demands. Views school improvement as combining previous research on managing change and school effectiveness. Lists eight effective school factors and relates knowledge of the change process to British…

In a healthy organizational culture, the mission statement and guiding beliefs set the direction for planning and actions. Mapleton (Colorado) Public School District's approach to school management places decision-making as close to the implementation point as possible. District schools have become more caring and supportive learning communities.…

Explains the "value-added" approach to measuring educational quality and institutional effectiveness in higher education. Presents a case study of Piedmont Virginia Community College's (PVCC's) efforts to measure the value which is added to transfer students by their PVCC experience, and discusses the implications of the PVCC study for…