In 1984, a Maryland elementary school publicized standardized test scores showing black students trailing white students by 25 points. Alarmed by this gap, a district task force found the root cause--negative attitudes about black students' potential--and launched an effective schools process in 171 schools. Two supporting programs are described.…

There is much resistance to desegregation. People do not believe it is beneficial for the following reasons: (1) it is not clear how the movement of students will improve schools; (2) effective, well-defined desegregation plans are lacking; (3) the research evidence of benefits is thin; and (4) critical problems such as instructional management…

Instead of concentrating on improving educational quality for children and adolescents, present reform machinations are centered on school leadership and accountability issues. This article discusses three educational reform paradoxes (equity, teacher empowerment, and school effectiveness) that are ignored in most reform reports. Included are 14…

Describes Eagle (Alaska) Community School as a model of educational effectiveness resulting from a 10-year old state policy of turning control of rural schools back to regionally/locally elected boards of education. Also credits effectiveness to community support, increased administrator/teacher retention, and continuity of curriculum. (NEC)

School culture emerges from educational research as the most critical theme for changing secondary schools. Educational problem solving to change school culture must be carried out in individual school buildings rather than at centralized locations. The district offices must aid this site authority with moral support and technical assistance. (VM)

A comparative study of effective school principals in Japan and the US outlines the differences and similarities in career goals, values, roles and responsibilities, and qualities of educational leadership.

In a recent conversation with Bulletin Editor Tom Koerner, Robert Binswager talked about the importance of principals, discussing everything from their leadership role and the reform studies to teacher preparation programs and effective instruction for today's youth. (Author/MD)

This article summarizes findings and implications of recent reports on education. The following three guidelines should influence future educational planning: (1) well-educated teachers and effective instruction are basic to good school systems; (2) administrators play a crucial role; and (3) actors in the educational establishment must recognize…

Effective schools require strong leaders, but any school has a variety of leadership needs. Teachers are ideal instructional leaders, especially when encouraged to undertake such leadership and when willing to become responsible, accountable professionals. A classroom-alternative support team needs both the principal's managerial leadership and…

The main points of the two reports on education are summarized. Both reports, the Governor's 1991 Report on Education and A Report on Elementary Education in America, emphasize the crucial role of parents and community in achieving excellence. (PS)

Presents a paradigm of the relation between bilingual program effectiveness and school-wide effectiveness. Presents a case study of Clavin J. Lauderbach Community School, a southern California elementary school where both school and bilingual programs are effective. Mutually reinforcing interaction between bilingual programs and school context…

Three schools with differing ways of promoting excellence are described. Background, distinctive features, curriculum features, teacher behaviors in class, and teacher activities out of class are each discussed. (MNS)

Describes the benefit of parent volunteer programs in schools, including maximizing teacher effectiveness and broadening parents' knowledge and appreciation of the educational process. Provides parent and teacher testimony and helpful hints for starting a successful volunteer program. The key is the principal's involvement. (MLH)

By vaunting the successes of the past while minimizing the failures, educators have painted an unreal, rosy picture that is now accepted as historical truth. This misconception hurts education by implying that school organization and curriculum can make no difference because today's students can't compare to those of long ago. (RM)

While many poor people of color have not really benefited from antipoverty and antidiscrimination programs, substantial gains in educational access have been achieved. Educators need to redefine objectives to improve minority children's education, focusing on language skills and character development appropriate to a diverse, multicultural…