This assessment of the effectiveness of federal service mandates in addressing equal education goals considers the effects and policy implications of existing and theoretical mandate types. The service mandate is a legal requirement (not contingent upon federal financial aid) that states or districts provide educational services satisfying federal…

Prepared as a tribute to the late Professor Ronald R. Edmonds, this paper reviews the history and progress of school improvement based upon the effective schools research. Topics related to the scope and precision of effective schools research are discussed. A need for further research is claimed in the following areas: (1) noncognitive and higher…

The format and mode of operation of a special commission appointed by the Maryland legislature to examine the teaching of values in elementary and secondary public schools are presented. The Commission surveyed and evaluated values education programs, interviewed educators, and held meetings with citizens throughout the state. Consensus was…

In its efforts to promote equity and excellence for Hispanic children, Western Service Systems, Inc. (WSS) serves parents, teachers, administrators, and public officials through research, creative thinking, design and implementation of new programs, coalition building, communication, and information. During 1983-84, WSS addressed the issues of…

Current research and past experience indicate the need to examine longitudinal effects of staff development efforts on school improvement and knowledge use. A six-month follow-up study of knowledge use from staff inservice training was undertaken. Questionnaries were completed by 235 staff (94 percent teachers) who had participated in a study of…

The intention of this guide is to consider the concepts, skills, facts, and attitudes of science which are taught in school; explore how content might be chosen; argue for a reduction in curriculum content; suggest major topics for science teaching; use examples to illustrate aspects of science content; and consider some of the implications of…

In response to the urgent national need to revitalize mathematics and science education, the National Research Council (NRC) has undertaken an examination of mathematics education from kindergarten through graduate study. This is a summary of a report outlining the seriousness of the situation and emphasizing how critical mathematics is for…

The United States of America is a society dependent upon science and technology. This will be even more evident in the 21st century, when many jobs will exist in fields not yet developed. Decisions relating to yet unknown data will need to be made. The individual will need to be scientifically and technologically literate to be able to relate to…

Thomas A. Edison State College's Center for Corporate Partnerships and its 3-year program "Creating the Missing Connection" are reported. The Center connects Edison with business and government agencies so that they can play a role in making college education more accessible to their employees. The program contributed to the development…

The paper examines parent involvement in the governance of schools. Five structures that incorporate elected parent representatives in consultative and decision-making committees established by law are discussed: (1) School Improvement Councils (Massachusetts); (2) Boards of Governors (England and Wales); (3) Counseils d'etablissement (France);…

This publication points to a need for a renewal of primary education which would provide universal schooling in countries where it does not presently exist. Science and technology education are essential to this renewal since they make the school more relevant to the working world, local realities, and future opportunities. This book attempts to…

This paper recommends that institutions of higher education (IHE) departments of educational administration collaborate with state education agencies (SEA) to plan educational reform. The states' increasing investment in public education merits IHE participation in the statewide educational planning process. Specifically, the paper suggests SEA's…

The recent thinking of 20 experts in the field of school improvement is represented in this collection of essays. The authors have participated in studies from the national level to the single school level, have been involved in past and present reform efforts, and have contributed to educational policy and theory. In this book they go beyond…

Program improvement activities can be classified into four categories based on the source of the impetus and the locus of the change agent: systematic, symbolic, opportunistic, and pragmatic. This paper (1) describes the various approaches to implementing Chapter 1 program improvement activities at the state and local district levels in 13 western…

This report by Wyoming's Blue Ribbon Committee on Quality Education focuses on four basic recommendations through which student preparation could be improved. First, the elementary, secondary, and college curriculum in the state needs to be better defined and integrated. Second, educational processes must make more effective use of available…