Recent research shows that students at all grade levels, especially at-risk youngsters, learn more in small schools; small schools are more violence-free; and bonds created in small schools are likely to influence students' post-high-school behavior. Success is attributed to small schools' human scale, more willing students, more committed…

Smart growth schools are small in size, encourage broad community involvement, and make good use of existing resources. Promoting small, community-based schools requires innovation, new partnerships, and a commitment to working to overcome the barriers presented by traditional rules and regulations. (Author/MLF)

Reviews literature on small schools and school size. Describes the strengths of small schools, optimum school size, the impact of technology, relation to student achievement, public and educator concerns about school size, financial incentives for small schools, costs and benefits of constructing small schools, and administrative costs associated…

Survey responses of 55 of the 70 teaching principals in Nebraska described job characteristics and responsibilities, advantages and disadvantages of the position, necessary skills and training, and the origin and future of the position. Contains 13 references. (SV)

Investigates the effects on school personnel of transferring all four elementary principals in a small rural district. Concludes that the move provided the challenge and motivation for professional growth for administrators, a change in administrative style for staff, and no noteworthy negative effects. (SV)

Two sex discrimination cases recently decided by federal courts in Alabama serve as a warning to small school districts that they must adopt more formalized employment procedures and make certain that the administrators implement the policies faithfully, procedurally and in spirit. (MLF)

Recent studies of effects of small-scale schooling on student achievement suggest that, when the interaction between SES and organizational scale is accounted for, small schools provide substantial benefits to low-SES students. Mechanisms may include small class size, good student affect, and cooperative interpersonal relationships. Contains 54…

The teaching profession is harmed by its focus on college degrees and length of service; the public views teachers as semiprofessionals, with job security and summers off. Some private schools have developed teacher evaluation and merit pay systems focused on teacher performance, not longevity. Costs and benefits are discussed. (MLH)

Describes Meridian Academy, a small alternative high school for dropouts and potential dropouts near Boise, Idaho. Discusses the school's family-like supportive environment, teaching strategies that emphasize student projects and active learning, and discipline policies and practices. Sidebar presents a Meridian Academy teacher who was once an…

School-effectiveness reviews were conducted in three small schools in western Canada, stressing the elements of school climate, shared purpose, professional community, and student and parent participation. Results showed that the mere opportunity for building "authentic communities for learning" did not mean that capacity was being…

A teacher intern in New South Wales (Australia) describes her experiences as a student in a small rural school, how early experience with distance education and independent learning was beneficial at university, teaching practicums in two rural schools, and her internship in a rural Aboriginal school. (SV)

Presents an interview with Steven Bingler, an expert on community-based planning and design, about the design of public schools. Topics include the contribution of architecture to student learning, mega- versus small schools, the authentic economics of design decisions, and the role of the community in the design process. (EV)

Provides reasons why class size and school size are important school improvement ideas; highlights findings of selected research on class size and school size; relates personal teaching experience supporting benefits of both small classes and small schools; describes results of a study of an eight-teacher school-within-a-school in Chicago.…

Given the widening achievement gap between whites and students of color in US schools, Small Learning Communities have emerged as a reform measure claimed to boost achievement in general and among racial minorities. This article examines this claim by reviewing the major policy documents and literature on SLC and analyzing SLC using Frank's (1972)…

This report examines the issue of teacher turnover in small schools and offers suggestions for how small schools can sustain changes in structure, instruction, and leadership, yet make room for new voices and ideas. Data was drawn from a three-year study of high school conversions in Washington State. The report also includes self-study questions…