Explains why a "family school" (of 25 to 500 students) has both advantages and disadvantages. (JM)

Examines the role and practice of school counseling in rural and small town schools. Results of survey revealed commonalities regarding the permeability of the school/community boundary; the characteristics of rural/small town culture; and the limitations and opportunities of the small social context. (Contains 30 references.) (GCP)

Reviews findings on the effects of school size on student achievement and participation. Concludes that small size, in itself, does not lower academic achievement, and does enhance opportunities for students to participate in school activities and assume leadership roles. Contains 44 references. (SV)

Describes the education of Melvil Dewey, pioneer in library science, his early teaching experiences in rural New York, and the influence of these experiences on his final career choice. Discusses his concept of education for the masses through public libraries. (SV)

This article describes the formation of a small independent British school by parents of students temporarily informally excluded from school because of unhappiness, special need, or personal insecurity. Although the school closed after one year, it did provide respite for children attending it until they were able to go back to mainstream…

Reviews six new books that look at why some reforms succeed and other fail. (MLF)

Describes characteristics shared by effective school administrators and counselors. Surveys general perceptions of South Dakota educators filling both roles. Subjects asked about role conflicts, effectiveness, and success of combining jobs. Concludes counselor-administrator role conflicts can be addressed and small schools will continue to combine…

Small elementary schools are frequently perceived as having discrete organizational problems that are intensified when such schools are located in rural areas. Article reports a study conducted in a Welsh local education authority that established clustering arrangements to resolve some managerial, administrative, and curricular problems. Views…

Examines characteristics of small rural schools that contribute to school effectiveness. Discusses program implementation, school climate, teacher morale, teacher cooperation, the work ethic, parent involvement, student involvement, and relationships among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community. (SV)

The movement back to smaller schools is not just another fad, but there are many questions about the effects of school size that need to be addressed (e.g., the effect of school size on student achievement; the importance networking between students, parents, and teachers; cost differences; and long-term social benefits for students). (SM)

Administrators everywhere should advocate smaller schools. Tom Sergiovanni says small size is a prerequisite for transforming schools into communities of learners. Other researchers find that small schools enhance personal relationships, are more intellectually oriented, and enhance student participation and academic performance. Administrators…

Discusses national survey of high school teachers and parents of high school students. Finds that while teachers and parents associate small schools with certain positive effects such as low dropout rates and high parent involvement, educators planning to reduce school size must resolve several parent and teacher concerns such as class size. (PKP)

Discusses studies that find small secondary schools are safer than large schools; offers three reasons for these findings: students are visible, there is a professional community of teachers, and small schools have a clear sense of purpose. Supports reasons with examples from several small secondary schools. (PKP)

Prodded by an outpouring of philanthropic and federal largess, school districts and even some states are downsizing public high schools to combat high dropout rates and low levels of student achievement, especially in big- city school systems. For longtime proponents of small schools, the upswell in support for their ideas is making for heady…

Chicago is embarking on a major initiative to convert at least 10 percent of its schools into small schools, most of which will be run by private operators. Mayor Richard M. Daley portrayed his plan, called Renaissance 2010, as a way to "shake up the system," introduce fresh ideas that could save its lowest-performing schools, and…