This paper describes the Survey of Effective School Practices, which began in 1995-96 to examine key characteristics, common elements, and unique qualities that contributed to having several elementary schools and one middle school in a large Texas school district become state recognized or exemplary. The study involved a survey instrument that…

In this report, the California Postsecondary Education Commission provides an assessment of the progress that has been made in achieving the goal of Senate Bill (SB) 121: improving student transfer among the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California. The report demonstrates that the transfer…

This report represents the findings of the evaluation team that visited San Joaquin Delta College on March 25-28, 1996 for the purpose of validating the college's application for reaffirmation of accreditation. Overall, the team was impressed with the high level of quality inherent throughout the college. However, the team identified a number of…

Governors and state and local education officials assumed that raising student achievement in the elementary and middle grades would solve the problems with high schools--but it hasn't. Why? Good information is the basis for successful improvement, and high school reform lacks accurate information about what students are to learn and about how…

This document is intended to build on the advice given in the publication "How good is our school?" It is intended to be of use to staff in local authorities and schools who are involved in implementing the recommendations of "Hungry for Success." This guide can be used to support in evaluating effectiveness in implementing…

The revised edition of "How good is our school?" (HM Inspectorate of Education, 2002) has been widely welcomed in schools and authorities. This document is one of a series of guides which builds on, but does not repeat, the advice on self-evaluation given in "How good is our school?" The introductory publication to the series,…

Describes a small school in the Ural mountains that has institutionalized an innovative pedagogical and administrative structure. The school has developed a close relationship with the parents and students and incorporated a great deal of local culture, folklore, and literature into its curriculum. Discusses the creation and implementation of…

Case study of a small elementary school in rural New South Wales (Australia) found that the community's history, the size of the school, and the relationship between school staff, students, and stakeholders contributed to development of a learning community. Suggests that becoming a learning community involves an ongoing, developmental, and…

Overviews factors influencing personnel evaluations and school improvement efforts in rural schools. Reports on a national study of elementary school teachers that revealed no relationship among personnel evaluations, student outcomes, and school improvement efforts. Suggests that school improvement programs include personnel evaluations that…

Examined the impact of common planning time (CPT) on middle grade students' self-concepts and both teachers and students' perceptions of their school climate. Results indicated that students receiving instruction from teachers on interdisciplinary teams with CPT had higher self-concepts and both teachers and students had more positive perceptions…

Uses Milwaukee's school choice/voucher initiative to illustrate how politically motivated evaluation and compromise legislation can dilute potentially beneficial educational innovations. The initiative's success despite counterproductive legislative tampering and biased evaluation is addressed, along with a discussion of the evaluation's…

Surveys of 504 educators in northeast Arkansas examined their attitudes toward recommendations for educational practice made by the Association for Behavior Analysis Task Force on the Right to Effective Education. Results indicated educators strongly supported recommendations for changes in curriculum and instruction but strongly opposed…

Examines the change in black attitudes towards a greater acceptance of school vouchers, charter schools, and other reforms that offer alternatives to the dismal prospects inherent in attending urban public schools. Describes examples of the school choice movement in action and discusses the reasons blacks have begun embracing it. (GR)

Explores particular characteristics that better secondary schools might possess. The exploration is based on five conditions of better schools, all of which support teachers and students in developing effective schools. The author moves the responsibility for school reform from the school to the life and behaviors of the community in which the…

Reports employers' concern that today's graduates are unprepared for the workplace. Argues that employers are major customers of the educational system; however, few school districts have meaningful measures of graduate performance. Discusses two partnership examples in which schools and businesses cooperate to improve education. Presents…