This document presents the proceedings from the Lightspan Achieve Now Education Summit, a gathering of educators held to discuss effective education programs for children in Title I schools. Presentations were given by educators who have implemented educational models featuring a strong set of varied instructional strategies and support systems…

The National Study of Effective Title I Schoolwide Programs was initiated to address the lack of information on how schoolwide programs affect teaching and learning and student outcomes and to develop a critical empirical base for strengthening the implementation of Title I programs in service of students in high poverty schools. This paper…

This report from St. Louis Community College (Missouri) provides an update of the college's activities and outcomes in accordance with the North Central Association's (NCA) standards for institutional effectiveness. It also outlines the college's assessment operations for the next five years, identifying specific activities to develop the…

The article describes an application of the Organizational Climate Descriptive Questionnaire (OCDQ) in the author's dissertation. He explored the possible relationships among [Fred] Fiedler's assessment of psychological distance of the leader (the principal) and the organizational climate of schools as assessed by the then recently developed OCDQ…

This bulletin sets forth the results of a study of requirements for high-school graduation. It is believed that graduation requirements constitute a better index to a school's objectives than curriculum offerings, for if a subject is required for graduation, it must be studied, without regard to the pupil's desire. One of the important…

Discusses the charge given to the National Commission on Excellence in Education by Secretary of Education T. H. Bell when he created it on August 26, 1981. Includes a summary of the report, "A Nation at Risk." (JOW)

The major emphasis of "A Nation at Risk" is that less time in school is spent on academic areas and that the number of required courses has decreased. However, public opinion does not favor removing "personal development" and "general track" courses or lengthening the school day or year. (MLF)

The fourth follow-up survey of the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 shows that Whites who have attended community colleges demonstrate greater improvement than do Blacks. Control variables used in the analysis included three socioeconomic variables. (Author/GC)

Describes the methods and results of an evaluation of a year-round junior high school program in the Bethel (Washington) school district. Discusses the opinions of teachers, students, and parents, and notes that tests revealed that student achievement levels were similar to those of a comparable district on a conventional schedule. (PGD)

Provides a historical overview of public education, advocates freedom of choice as the best method for distributing education, describes some of the benefits of parental choice, and answers objections to tuition tax credits. (SK)

Twelve characteristics of effective schools are described, including: (1) academic and social goals; (2) curriculum; (3) rules of conduct; (4) administrator, teacher, and student responsibilities; (5) time on task; and (6) parental and community support. (CJ)

Questions and suggested actions are presented for parents to use in evaluating school operations. Topics include school goals and objectives, teachers' training and effectiveness, and student satisfaction. (FG)

Claims that students' self-discipline is the key factor in learning and that the structure of the school is the key factor in developing self-discipline in students. Suggests ways schools can develop awareness of the effects of their structures on student behavior and learning and make appropriate improvements. (PGD)

The real-life drama 25 years ago when Apollo 13 was rescued through a collaborative team of colleagues provides a model for changes in many public schools. In Texas, the state code specifies that site-based decision making address planning, budgeting, curriculum staffing patterns, staff development, and school organization. (MLF)

In a Fort Collins, Colorado, school district, parents whose children attend alternative schools choose schools for all the right reasons. Unfortunately, only a limited segment of parents exercises a choice. Teachers say alternative schools skim off the most motivated parents and students, leaving the problem children behind. These survey results…