Analyzes state statutes to determine which legislation mandating school reform had been enacted between 1987 and 1992. Findings suggest that the plethora of legislation will probably continue, that community involvement in education will probably expand, and that educators should prepare themselves for redefined educational goals and restructured…

Warnings about the deterioration of America's schoolhouses have generated only limited public reaction. State legislators, governors, federal officials, and corporate executives who reacted to "A Nation at Risk" have remained silent--perhaps because lots of money is needed to fix the problem. This article explains the effects of physical…

Describes a Principal Support Network in San Jose, California, that enables high school principals to become informed, effective leaders, create a collegial support group, and allow space for reading, reflection, and thoughtful discussion. The network is practically focused, has varied meeting agendas, and offers discourse and leadership…

Analyzes the processes used by a group of Australian teachers to make curriculum decisions at the school level. Policies aimed at decentralizing curriculum decision making can be supported only if teachers' expertise is fully utilized in the decision-making process. Unless teachers contribute something that administrators cannot, they will be seen…

Many school districts are acknowledging staff development's dismal record. Inservice programs traditionally operate on a deficit training model, promote awareness without classroom strategies, and are offered by traveling "experts." Teachers need time and opportunity to direct their own professional development program and "mess…

Technology is no "silver bullet" for transforming education. Observations in nine technology-using schools suggest that for technology to serve reform purposes, it must be tied to a coherent, schoolwide instructional agenda. Reform-minded schools should articulate their mission and restructure activities around student needs and…

Educational technology can be a catalyst for creating new learning structures. For the past six years, Central Harlem's Earth Lab project has been designing, implementing, and observing effects of a local area network system intended to facilitate collaborative work in elementary earth science. System coordinates small groups, promotes teacher…

With political support, Total Quality Management principles can help urban schools redefine schools' role, purpose, and responsibilities; focus on continuous improvement; plan comprehensive leadership training; create staff development confronting staff attitudes and beliefs; use research- and practice-based information to guide policy and…

Confronted by a disturbing dropout rate and low student achievement, the Newfoundland (Canada) government is attempting to rationalize organizational restructuring and curriculum reform based on a centralized core academic curriculum aimed at college entrance. This article argues for an expanded, hegemonic curriculum that is organic to the…

Although Hawkins's article in the same "Journal of Curriculum and Supervision" issue suggests some provocative notions surrounding curriculum content and process, his model does not fully address the form the curriculum deliberation process should take or the guiding principles involved. Also, Hawkins overemphasizes the role of learning…

NAEP and SAT scores show U.S. schools are not necessarily declining, but they are struggling. Math and social studies instruction is still dominated by teacher explanations, quizzes, and textbooks; students remain unexcited by science; literacy levels are low; school children do much more TV-watching than homework or reading. A major structural…

Northeastern University (Massachusetts) has reduced its size by one-fifth, cut $60-million from its budget, eliminated 700 jobs, dropped or merged several programs, frozen salaries, and cut other costs in a successful retrenchment effort. Many agree the "rightsizing" was handled in a fair, humane way; others are angered. (MSE)

Schools' increasing reliance on partnerships and donated goods and services may lead to program delivery differences. Policymakers must consider possible "costs" of partnerships, such as diminished revenue from traditional sources, altered decision making, and detriments to equity pursuits, when structuring schools' future. Community…

The first education reform wave stressed top-down state initiatives identifying educators as the problem and prescribed greater accountability, closer supervision, tighter regulation, better teacher screening, tougher graduation standards, and a longer school year. The second reform wave saw educators as the solution and advocated bottom-up…

Permanent change in schools means finding effective ways to accomplish professional and personal growth in teachers and administrators. This article rewrites some cautionary tales to provide a sampler of strategies to aid real change. Basically, schools need substantive plans, accountable staff developers, broadened staff development definitions,…