Evaluation of recent literature and interviews with Russian educators showed how liberalization of schools has shifted power to teachers and students, resulting in short-term teacher demoralization and student indiscipline. The situation is complicated by competing interest groups and ideologies, and indecisive leadership. (SK)

Raises the questions of where school psychologists fit into school reform and whether they have the organizational knowledge and skill to contribute to this comprehensive process. Critical to success of programs is the use of a collaborative problem-solving consultative model, which incorporates a four-stage process: problem identification,…

Examines implementation of various restructuring designs in 13 elementary schools in the culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse Sunland County Public School District (Florida). Preliminary findings indicate a variance in implementation across sites and suggest demographic and numeric shifts in student population, lack of teacher…

Draws on the insights of John Dewey to argue that the contrast between developmental appropriateness and academic rigor is an untenable dualism. Considers directions for middle school renewal that unite these two concepts. (JPB)

Summarizes a study that surveyed school board presidents and school superintendents about their perceptions of school reform. Reports their views on desirable restructuring outcomes, important restructuring ingredients, factors influencing restructuring, and the political emphases associated with restructuring. Although school officials generally…

Holt presents counterevidence about what U.S. high schools do successfully and suggest where reforms should really be implemented. Morris reviews recent reform efforts, concluding that meaningful reform should address real-life issues, be integrated, and address development of the inner self. (SK)

Ralston (Nebraska) High School's restructuring was helped by participation in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's consortium. Ralston faculty led the change process, holding students to higher standards, altering curriculum beyond arbitrary subject limitations, changing the school year, and increasing staff expertise with…

The intellectual dimension of school reform has been given the least attention thus far. It is falsely assumed uncritically that teachers are prepared to deal with this dimension. Institutional and teachers' personal mission statements should emphasize critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and intellectual leadership. (SK)

Discusses the implementation of partner teams of two or three teachers at the middle school level. Considers the effect of these partnerships on class organization, student achievement, and teachers' relationships, and notes the evolution of partnerships from teaching teams. (JPB)

Along with the restructuring of educational programs must come the restructuring of resources. Schools should review all resources, including the ones for teacher development, to focus on serving students optimally. Under the new Title I schoolwide programs of the Improving America's Schools Act, this is easier and more logical than before. (SLD)

Examined staff decision making at a restructuring urban middle school, noting how some of the decisions were made. The decision making process included balancing the relative needs of individual students and the whole class; managing consensus, dissent, voice, and democracy; and recognizing leadership, authority, and accountability. Collective…

Suggests that no socially meaningful educational changes have resulted, nor should have been expected, from institutional-reform efforts in the settings in which they have been studied. Uses regulation theory to reanalyze data from evaluations of educational change initiatives. Progressive education change in the interests of social transformation…

Chronicles perceived dilemmas of 20 Australian principals whose work lives were preoccupied with school restructuring. Findings suggest two main types of dilemmas: general, personal/professional "states of mind" and specific, practical organizational dilemmas. Research is needed on devising management solutions and improving leadership…

In this article we describe the mathematics curriculum and teaching practices in a purposive sample of high-poverty elementary schools working with 3 of the most widely disseminated comprehensive school reform programs in the United States. Data from 19,999 instructional logs completed by 509 first-, third-, and fourth-grade teachers in 53 schools…

This article explores how a revitalized public life promises to be far more effective than conventional school reform in bringing more equitable education policy. Participatory social inquiry stands in contrasts to the limited and mostly technical focus of equity reforms that began with Great Society policies in the 1960s and 1970s and that…