This report is based on the collective research of seven regional education laboratories related to the federally funded Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration program. The participating laboratories were the Appalachia Education Laboratory (AEL) in partnership with the Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at the University of…

This report describes a computer tool used by the state of New York to assess student performance in elementary and secondary grades. Based on the premise that every assessment is a system of interacting elements, the tool examines students on six dimensions: vision, prompt, coaching context, performance, standards, and reflection. Vision, which…

This book describes how schools can promote positive and orderly climates that ensure learning. The text is divided into two parts. Part 1 looks at general concerns and provides a survey of discipline problems that public schools face and how the public views these problems. It discusses regularities, responsibility, and reinforcement--the three…

An evaluation checklist is provided for assessing a school's strengths and weaknesses relative to the safety and security of buildings and grounds, as well as assessing development and enforcement of policies, the presence of intervention and prevention plans, staff development, parent and community involvement, opportunities for student…

This paper, based on a study conducted in Tennessee in fall 1998, discusses ways that teachers perceived issues concerning safety and violence within their schools. The data were collected at three "Safe Schools" conferences for teachers, school administrators, and law-enforcement officers; 263 usable questionnaires were collected. The…

This report delineates five governance strategies in U.S. corporations that have emerged over the last 20 years: (1) reform of corporate boards, which includes the role of boards and implementation approaches; (2) organizational improvement, which details employee involvement, total quality management, and reengineering; (3) developing team-based…

This paper examines various trends and explores how they may affect education. Six specific trends are explored: (1) education trends, in which competition among schools for students, educators, and funds is increasing, calls for education accountability are increasing at all levels, and the demand for education professionals is rising; (2)…

This report discusses the outcome of a study that investigated the policies of three states that require educational services for all students who are suspended or expelled. The state education departments in California, Hawaii, and Nebraska were asked whether they had special legislation which requires that any student who is suspended or…

This digest defines sexual misconduct and offers guidelines that school boards and administrators can initiate to protect students from unwanted sexual behavior. The law recognizes two types of sexual misconduct: quid pro quo, when a school employee grants a student a favor in exchange for sexual gratification, and hostile environment, where…

Examines the concept of compulsory public education for all and distinguishes among compulsory content, compulsory attendance and compulsory achievement. Stresses the need to develop an educational justification and effective processes for compulsory schooling. (SF)

Article analyzed the three most common approaches used by teachers to establish and maintain classroom discipline and considered what must be done to insure good behavior in the classroom. (RK)

Discusses the importance of the good noninnovative'' high school in the educational system. (Author/DN)

An interview with John Bremer, director of the Parkway Program; illustrated. (RD)