Multidimensional aspects of school effectiveness and areas for future research are discussed. Issues of stability of school effects, sampling, aggregate versus disaggregate data, school context, and outcome measures reflect some concerns of current school-effectiveness researchers. The debate over the unit of analysis and macrolevel/microlevel…

Commonly employed measures of school quality can lead to very misleading results. Especially at the state level, nonrepresentative data such as aggregate Scholastic Aptitude Test scores provide very biased measures of school performance. Far superior are direct estimates of achievement growth. (SK)

Reviews the reasons for conducting institutional assessments regardless of college size. Identifies the elements of institutional effectiveness and translates them into six questions with quantifiable answers, which when tallied produce an overall assessment of program effectiveness. (DMM)

Critically assesses current reformist views on teaching social studies. Warns that these educators and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) position is anti-intellectual, contradicting the ideals of education and democracy. Encourages healthy debate about social studies and supports the virtues of humanism, skepticism, and pluralism. (NL)

Argues that the small school is intrinsically neither good or bad but just unique as an educational setting. Discusses declining enrollment, growing societal concern about the products of public school education, and distance learning technology as forces shaping the future of small schools. (SV)

This article reports results of a study investigating variations in secondary pupil-attainment associated with different types of residential communities and educational authorities within Scotland. Variations associated with school selectivity and socioeconomic background were also studied. (IAH)

Compares the principal-teacher interactions in an instructionally effective elementary school with those in an ordinary school. Findings about the principal of the more effective school include the following: (1) expressed concern and support; (2) had high instructional expectations; and (3) interacted frequently with teachers. (FMW)

Examines the development of a two-tiered, classist system of urban education. Reviews the principles of the Effective Schools Movement and applies them to reforming urban schools. Discusses the teacher's role as child advocate in overcoming discrimination against non-English speaking students. (FMW)

Traces the changing responsibilities of boards of education in response to public attitudes and social change. Examines the impact of research reports on public school reform since the publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983. Emphasizes the findings of the effective schools research. (FMW)

Compares the organization and effectiveness of public and private schools in New York (New York). Argues that successful schools have a large degree of autonomy and are accountable to their constituencies through the process of competition and choice. (FMW)

If school restructuring simply means dismantling centralized authority, the resulting centrifugal tendency will diminish accountability. Schools today need impulses of integration, not disintegration. The main problem is deciding what we want the schools to accomplish. An inset describes a Pennsylvania district's removal of reform obstacles. (MLH)

The feasibility of combining criterion-referenced and norm-referenced tests into a school achievement test score to be used for school effectiveness classification was studied with 361 elementary schools across 2 years and across a subsample of 264 schools. Results support combining scores of different tests to measure school effectiveness. (SLD)

A three-year experiment was carried out with the goal of helping low achieving high school students progress to matriculation level. Results show a change in the class atmosphere, and students' self-image and motivation improved. High achievers in technology studies in mechanics increased, and nonmatriculating students decreased. (LZ)

Research findings on school effectiveness are discussed in relation to an evaluation model that can be administered at the school and community level, comprising three kinds of data: (1) background factors, such as student social origin and level of attainment; (2) outcome factors; and (3) school process and climate factors. (SLD)

A survey of 169 educators examined aspects of instructional leadership in elementary bilingual programs. Bilingual programs in exemplary schools differed from those in average schools or schools on accreditation notice in identification procedures, teacher involvement in program development and evaluation, and training in the use of pacing of…