Describes school effectiveness characteristics and student characteristics in schools that made an improvement in academic achievement of Black students. The characteristics were orderly environment, clear school mission, high expectations, opportunity to learn, and frequent monitoring. (YP)

The success of school reform depends on the vision of educational leadership. The origins, purpose, and components of leadership vision are explored, and the effect of socialization in making school administrators protectors of order and the status quo is examined. Reformed, egalitarian education will require principals to reassess their…

Summarizes the findings of a two-year study in Bahia (Brazil) designed to provide insight into the failure of the schooling system in Brazil to meet the educational needs of the population. Gives information from the literature review, reports on the survey results, and discusses a case study of four schools. (KO)

Describes a collaboration for school improvement between a rural Texas school district and Texas Tech University, which later expanded to include the parent teacher organization, businesses, and the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. Discusses identification of school improvement goals and actions taken in the first year. Contains 13…

Discusses independent elementary schools serving primarily Black urban students. Focuses on the following issues: (1) individualized attention; (2) small class size; (3) parent participation; (4) cultural values; and (5) school finance. Suggests that many of the principles and practices applied in independent schools could improve public…

Reviews actions taken by the Scottish Education Department that have led to research investigating school effectiveness and school improvement efforts in Scottish schools. Efforts included defining the research context, analysis of research relating to school effectiveness and school improvement, and examining the interplay between government…

Describes the Effective Schools correlates monitoring and evaluation initiative implemented in 1989-94 (Phase One) in all Bureau of Indian Affairs schools as a means for generating a process of comprehensive school improvement planning. Discusses Phase One findings--areas of strength and weakness--and projections for the next step under Goals 2000…

National databases are not necessarily useful for specific school district needs. Participating sites in the High Schools that Work program have adapted several data collection procedures from national studies to serve their own information needs and assess the effectiveness of local program changes. (SK)

Summarizes a study that examined 3 cohorts of pupils passing through some 30 English secondary schools, using examination results as the outcome measure and controlling for prior attainment levels. Offers a multilevel strategy for conceptualizing and modeling data on schools' performance changes over time. Although several schools improved their…

A study of 20 North Carolina elementary schools shows that changes in California Achievement Test scores over a 2-year period do not correlate with changes in effective schools correlates. Results suggest that prescriptive use of the effective schools practices may be misguided. (SLD)

Examines the strengths and weaknesses of outcome-based education (OBE). Indicates that OBE's emphasis on concrete, demonstrable results allows educators to implement a unified and effective curriculum but that its methods raise questions about student motivation, the value of effort over ability, and compromised educational standards. (MAB)

Profiles Virginia Aguilar, a high school principal who, with her staff, has been exploring and implementing changes and improvements in response to state mandates. The paper describes improvement efforts by the school district and how Aguilar's school makes use of them. Aguilar's encouragement of participative decision making is discussed. (SM)

Describes correlates of defective schools: perks for very few; faulty communication; adult-centered programs; special interest group indulgence; poor professional relationships; personnel warehousing; incompetent consultants; literal interpretation of technicalities; imperial leadership; intimate relationships among personnel; incoherent…

Considers evidence relating to the effectiveness of Scottish schools during the Second World War. Addresses four areas: (1) teacher loss and class size, (2) deterioration of primary education, (3) early leaving and absenteeism, and (4) rising aspirations and declining standards in secondary education. Concludes that the war had both positive and…

Educational assessment in France is characterized by three current themes: (1) national standards and testing of student achievement; (2) mechanisms for promoting institutional quality control; and (3) development of curriculum-integrated approaches to assessment. (SK)