A brief history of East Ridge Middle School in Connecticut illustrates the strong economic and demographic pressures that can work against a middle school. The principal plays a crucial role in preserving both the structure and the programs of an effective middle school. Points out strategies to protect and develop middle schools in tough economic…

Investigates possibility of applying industrial organization theories to construct evaluative, analytical framework for educational institutions. Defines organizational identity in terms of culture, communication networks, and school image, using each to examine instability and conflict at Scotland's Summerhill school. Concludes cultural divisions…

Current educational reform proposals are fixed on modifying existing structures and lack imagination. Cooperative learning and individualized instruction are time-worn "innovations" treating the symptoms of a terminally ill system. This article presents 32 transitions to transform education into a world-based, teacherless experience featuring…

Perceptions of their learning environments are studied for 112 medical students in Canada through interviews over 2 years. Students perceive that structures of the learning environment foster a highly competitive milieu influencing their approach to learning. Processes of teaching are viewed somewhat more positively. (SLD)

Presents study results examining recruitment practice differences between coeducational and gender segregated secondary schools in Germany. Discusses the impact of organizational form on teacher judgments, achievement in specific subjects, school subject-related interests, and school commitment. Reports that under conditions of free school choice,…

Extends research on factors promoting or undermining school effectiveness. Employs two dimensions of effective internal organization (teacher community and principal leadership) to examine effects of school context variables generally excluded from prior research. Explores whether models of context effects on internal school conditions differ for…

Discusses organizational transformation and planned second order change in education. Challenging the existing paradigm and enabling a transformation is an essential part of school reform which can only occur if administrators and teachers master the context within which they work and face challenges requiring more leadership than management. (SM)

A National Staff Development Council (NSDC) survey examined the status of staff development and staff developers in North America. This article summarizes data from 1,057 respondents focusing on identity of the field of staff development, resources for staff development, demographics of NSDC members, and the role of higher education. (SM)

Contends that school size is an increasingly important factor in discussions concerning school effectiveness. Clarifies the current usage of the term "small secondary school" so that research can be conducted. Concludes that curriculum reform requirements will have an impact on determining effectiveness of education in small secondary…

Explains that Helen Parkhurst's Dalton Laboratory Plan disappeared quickly in many British schools but remained for over 40 years in the King Alfred School in London (England). Explores the development of the Dalton Plan at King Alfred, why this educational innovation thrived at the school, and the causes for its disappearance. (CMK)

Highlights the effects of school autonomy, decentralization, and privatization in the Latin American educational systems focusing on the development of educational policies in Chile and Argentina in order to illustrate the meaning of "freedom" measures in the schools. Provides five conclusions that are relevant for Latin American…

Observes that financial aspects of "integration" have not gained much attention in special education research. Argues that equality-policy programs imply a high degree of school-level autonomy, but few studies have analyzed how funding frameworks work to shape local policy. Reports on a study that explores these relationships. (DSK)

Using survey and interview responses, examines school members' perceptions of school autonomy over budget decisions, availability of budget information at the school level, and members' willingness to engage in shared decision making in Rochester, New York. Results suggest there are implementation barriers in Rochester pilot schools. Participants…

Explores the house-concept design in educational facilities and explains how this concept addresses the relationship between the following dimensions of the school: learning processes; organizational structures; and learning environments. Also discusses how this concept can be incorporated into renovation projects and its future possibilities. (GR)

Presents initial results from research on structural changes in the school system of the Soviet Occupation Zone and East Germany from 1945 to 1989. Focuses on the development of three academic tracks introduced in 1946 as a form of internal differentiation in upper secondary schools, and subsequent moves toward standardization. (DSK)