Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study, the achievement growth of students in magnet schools, Catholic schools, and secular private schools was compared to that of students in public comprehensive schools during the first two years of high school. Some advantages of magnet schools and Catholic schools are discussed. (SLD)

Reviews 1980-95 empirical literature on the relationship between the principal's role and school effectiveness. Examines conceptual underpinnings of several theoretical models to study the role, the relationship between models and investigation methods, and the nature of principals' influence. Principal leadership and school goals indirectly…

Studied the relative effectiveness and efficiency of private and public schools in Chile, which instituted a national voucher plan in 1980 using national achievement figures and financial data. Nonreligious voucher schools are marginally less effective than public schools in predicting academic achievement in fourth grade; Catholic voucher schools…

Studied whether student scores on standardized tests represent reasonable measures of instructional quality using ratings by 10 parents and 11 educators (school principals) of the degree to which test items from a nationally marketed standardized achievement test represent the content actually taught. On average, raters felt that test items…

Addresses the problems of using student test scores to evaluate teachers, citing North Carolina as an example. Considers the problems with accountability laws, misidentifying problems when using student test scores, and teaching to the test. Discusses appropriate accountability mechanisms, the importance of social context, and organizing for…

Summarizes the Quebec (Canada) province-wide survey conducted by the History Task Force in June 1998 that focused on the status of teaching in elementary social studies and secondary history within the anglophone educational community. Indicates that these teachers want a range of up-to-date classroom materials and are willing to attend…

Describes the difficulties facing local education authorities (LEA) during the revolutionary period in British education. Illustrates that the role of the LEA has changed by exploring various definitions of LEAs proposed by the Audit Commission, the Conservative Government's White Paper "Self Government for Schools," and the White Paper…

Maintains that arts educators must guide students toward an understanding of artistic excellence that will inspire them to be avid audiences for art. Asserts that more rigorous and substantive standards in the arts curriculum is the first step toward reform. Describes alternatives to public education and the choice of charter schools. (CMK)

Discusses a year-long study of the Community College of Denver and of research on developmental education and institutional effectiveness issues in higher education. Identifies critical issues and makes recommendations for increasing student success, including: (1) hiring the best faculty members available and monitoring and mentoring them; (2)…

Members of Teaching K-8's staff describe their visit to Brigantine Elementary School in Brigantine, NJ, where they were introduced to so many outstanding educators and enthusiastic volunteers that they wondered whether this was the "perfect school." Acknowledging that the school has some flaws, the Teaching K-8 staff note that Brigantine…

School councils have operated successfully in non-government schools for many years. By contrast, the establishment of school councils in the government school sector has had a much shorter history. In New South Wales, school council members are elected representatives of the broader school community. This study focused on government schools in…

Issues relating to the organization of the process of education via the network system is being discussed vigorously among specialists in the field of social economic theory and economic sociology. An example of network education is seen in the network of affiliates and branch offices of institutions of higher learning. This journal has already…

This article describes the background and findings of a research project on school effectiveness and evaluation in one regional education authority in China. The study was the outcome of a China/UK academic link aiming to improve research capacity and the evaluation of educational quality in China, funded by the British Council in Beijing, on…

From time to time critics of the middle level publish works that suggest that our philosophy is too much "feeling good" and not enough academic substance. Confusing this debate is the current trend of districts (especially large urban ones) to reconfigure their schools to K-8 neighborhood schools. In this article the author takes a long look at…

Approximately 70% of American high schools enroll 1000 or more students each, while almost one half of high schools enroll more than 1500 students each. A growing booty of evidence, however, is showing that small schools, especially small secondary schools, result in positive benefits for students, families, and communities that go beyond letter…