This interview with Constance Clayton, superintendent of the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) public schools, and Michelle Fine, professor of psychology and consultant, discusses the Philadelphia Schools Collaborative, a nonprofit organization established to lead the restructuring of the city's high schools. Central to the effort is the concept of…

It is unclear whether the New American Schools Development Corporation will create a systematic research program or whether the approach through design teams will stimulate random innovation. This paper discusses unanswered questions about President Bush's current proposals. (SLD)

Discusses problems in American schools and suggests how performance technology could help with school reforms. An overview of school reform since 1983 is given, and components of recent school reform are discussed, including personnel selection; job and organization redesign, including decentralization of schools; evaluation/feedback programs for…

Describes the development of an integrated approach to using computer technology in a multiaged classroom with grades four and five that emphasizes the role of the teacher. The use of LOGO is discussed, and changing from a lecture format to helping small groups of students who are working independently is described. (LRW)

Describes Minnesota's experience with expanded school choice. Explores individual students' experiences with alternative educational choices. Includes a history of school choice in Minnesota. Discusses findings of student surveys. Concludes that many students who have not succeeded in one school will flourish in another. (DK)

School business officials will need to lead the way for many of the changes that will take place in the nation's schools. Outlines some strategies to help defuse the tension and defensiveness and clear the way for meaningful change. (MLF)

Explores how school administrators can implement educational processes allowing full inclusion of students with disabilities into the general education program. Reviews literature on limitations of special education practices, arguments against, full inclusion, and rural communities' unique characteristics. Applies organizational behavior theories…

Discusses results of studies comparing standards and student performance in Great Britain's comprehensive and secondary modern schools. Reports findings of higher examination results in fully selective schools than in a fully comprehensive system. Criticizes government and teacher training programs for failing to serve either teachers or students…

Bringing a shared onsite management structure to UCLA's laboratory elementary school was possible because the school enjoys relative autonomy. At this newly restructured school, teachers now share ownership of decisions at every operating level. Success depends on advocacy groups, a formal decision-making body, and annual retreats for staff unity.…

Presents the conclusions of a study of the role of technology in restructuring schools. Criteria for a good school system, technology and at-risk students, current and proposed school models,elements essential for restructured schools, and the cost of dropouts are discussed. Two graphs showing dropout costs are included. (three references) (KRN)

Proposes a typology of reform within the public education system so that reforms can be characterized as conservative, liberal, or radical, depending on the degree to which they cause the traditional standards of public schools to change. The model is applied to educational reform in Chicago (Illinois) public schools. (SLD)

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)

At the American Federation of Teachers' 1991 conference, members stated that private school choice threatened public education and claimed a need for national standards and national tests. Other demands included comprehensive programs for school dropouts and a labor market policy that emphasizes the link between school and work. (MLF)

National standards for education are important elements in the excellence process, but standards imposed by a central authority simply do not work in the Information Era. It would be wise to increase teachers' decision-making role in establishing and implementing local level excellence standards and train teachers to employ the Japanese "kaizen"…

The process of changing was assessed in four schools at the midpoint of a five-year essential schools restructuring effort in Illinois. Cross-case analysis results in identification of factors affecting the change process by examining benchmarks of substantial agreement, observable change, all-school participation, and systemic leadership. (SLD)