Although the law has been the vehicle for launching school-reform efforts, little attention has been paid to the ways in which legal mechanisms enable or constrain effective school reform; however, law-based school reforms (lawsuits, regulations, statutes, and collective-bargaining provisions) have not changed the fundamental character of the…

The Ninth Grade Restructuring Program of the Detroit (Michigan) public schools was designed to restructure the ninth grade in ways that improve academic performance, develop positive attitudes toward learning, improve the school environment, reduce the dropout rate, and increase the graduation rate of students. Features of the program were…

The Ninth Grade Restructuring Program of the Detroit (Michigan) public schools was designed to restructure the ninth grade in ways that improve academic performance, develop positive attitudes toward learning, improve the school environment, reduce the dropout rate, and increase the graduation rate of students. Features of the program were…

Researchers report that fundamental reform is under way in perhaps one-third of Chicago public schools, involving more than 100,000 students. These sketches of schools where restructuring is taking place provide some clues to fundamental questions about educational change. The Chicago School Reform Act of 1988 established local school councils and…

Inspired by the gains in student achievement realized by the small schools movement in New York City, the Oakland Unified School District (California) has proposed creating a network of 10 new, small autonomous (NSA) schools over the next 3 years. School size will range between 250 and 500 students, depending on grade level. "Autonomous"…

This report discusses four studies that investigated the effects of school reform on outcomes for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities. The studies included evaluations of the reform and restructuring activities of schools and school districts and assessment of student outcomes and use of metal health services. One study involved…

This report presents an analysis of the school choice movement throughout the United States, and a state-by-state analysis that provides snapshots of each state's progress toward school choice and charter schools. The Children's Scholarship Fund found that 1.25 million low-income parents would take advantage of scholarships that would allow their…

This bulletin provides a brief historical account of Czechoslovakia from the end of World War I to the present state. The report describes the education system in three parts: (1) School System: 1918-1948--preschool and elementary education, secondary education, teacher training, and higher education; (2) school system: 1958-1960--preschool…

Accelerated schools strive to bring at-risk students into the educational mainstream and perform at grade level through acceleration rather than remediation. Describes four steps to initiate the accelerated process and how a Texas middle school involved all members of the school community in implementing the first two steps, taking stock and…

Examines pressures that educational restructuring efforts place on traditional structures and on expectations of universities and schools, noting temporal aspects of John Goodlad s concept of organizational arrangements. Applies concepts to restructuring teacher education at the University of Wyoming. Views temporal organizational disruptions as…

Describes how to restructure education to better prepare students for the future based on the plan developed at the South Huntington Union Free School District (New York). Topics include the need for a paradigm shift in education; technology as a tool for learning, including interactive courseware; inservice teacher training; the home-school…

An ethnographic case study of teacher collaboration and decision making in restructuring a junior high school (750 students, 49 teachers) is presented, and implications for low-achieving African American students are discussed. The study suggests that school, community, and national contexts influence educators involved in restructuring efforts.…

One of five articles in the section on the "Promise and Purpose of Professional Development Schools," this article examines the six propositions originally put forth for professional development schools (PDS) by the Holmes Group (1990) in "Tomorrow's School." The paper recommends revisiting the six propositions in terms of…

Describes a restructured elementary school in Washington state that emphasizes lifelong learning and the use of technology in every aspect of the school. Highlights include the changing roles of teachers, students, administrators, and parents; open classrooms; cooperative and traditional learning; cross-age grouping; cultural barriers; and the…

Reviews Kentucky's efforts to increase family and community involvement in its public school reform. These efforts include a new structure for the traditional elementary school; Family Resource Centers; and school-based decision making. Also shares some parents' perspectives on how these changes are shaping their children's school experiences. (BB)