This report describes results of a survey on school-based budgeting (SBB) in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, public schools (APS). SBB began in the 1986-87 school year at 33 of the 116 APS schools and alternative schools, with 16 elementary, 11 middle, and 6 high schools, participating in the first year. A total of 131 responses were received from…

A study was conducted to determine whether five factors characteristic of effective elementary schools were also characteristic of four high quality children's centers in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Investigation also attempted to ascertain how the factors were operationalized at these centers. Specifically, the five factors were (1)…

This paper highlights findings of school effectiveness research, identifies major criticisms connected with that research, and discusses implications for dissemination. An ample bibliography follows. Twelve characteristics are associated with quality schools, including high level of teacher expectation, frequent classroom visitation by principals,…

Six causal-influence diagrams introduce a model showing the difficulties of implementing school improvement policies in such areas as teacher expectations and student behavior. The first diagram deals with basic dynamics of improvement. Cybernetics of activities to correct student achievement are revealed in a second diagram, which portrays…

In 1980, the Office for Minority Education of the Educational Testing Service sponsored a conference to explore the theme of fostering excellence for minority public school students. Each of the papers included in this book provides a different perspective on the conference's theme. Stephen J. Wright gives an extensive look at the evolution of…

In accordance with research into what makes schools effective, efforts were made to translate the findings into a school improvement project in the New York City Public Schools. The research isolated five characteristics of schools identified as effective (that is, as demonstrating for 3 years the ability to deliver basic school skills to the full…

Statistical models for school effectiveness rankings are assessed. An analysis of linear models with fixed regression parameters and models with separate regression parameters for each school is presented. In the first case, the regression lines are parallel and the ranking of the schools is the same for all student backgrounds. In the second…

The future supply and demand for Maine school administrators is assessed. Based on discussions with the Advisory Committee on Administrator Supply and Demand, a series of premises were established for the study. Survey instruments were designed, coded, and mailed to all superintendents and elementary and secondary principals in the state. A high…

A guidebook for the individual or group of persons on a college campus responsible for implementation of institutional effectiveness or outcomes assessment activities is presented in seven chapters. Chapter 1 explains the handbook's use in institutional effectiveness and outcomes assessment implementation, and Chapter 2 gives an overview of the…

Correlates of the teacher scales from the Effective School Battery (ESB) were examined in the Charleston County School District (CCSD) in South Carolina. Focus was on determining the relations between the ESB teacher scales and student academic achievement, progress through the grades, attendance, and dropout. This study was conducted as part of a…

This ERIC Digest discusses the issue of the school district management audit--a comprehensive examination of an organization in order to assess efficient use of resources and program effectiveness. Several aspects of the management audit issue are covered in question-and-answer format: (1) What is a management audit? (2) What areas are covered by…

This paper reviews, in two parts, discoveries about control in 12 instructionally effective school districts (IESD) in California. In part one, after describing six ways to view administrative control, this report provides a brief description of the study, presents findings on the use of selected control mechanisms, and reviews what was learned…

In contrast to public opinion, the relationship between school order and achievement is neither simple nor certain. While research shows individuals who misbehave perform poorly in school, it has not made clear why. Further, the evidence on order and achievement at the school level is even more limited. One inference drawn here is that failure to…

Since 1977, South Carolina law has required every school to develop annual and long-range (3-year) plans based on a needs assessment. Based on a 1984 law, the State Board of Education adopted the following effective schools indicators as bases of assessments: (1) instructional leadership of the principal; (2) emphasis on academics, including basic…

The Austin Independent School District Superintendent of Schools required a process for monitoring district activities. The Office of Research and Evaluation developed LOOP (Linking Outcomes to Organizational Planning). LOOP is a management information system through which progress in a number of activities within the school system may be…