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,…

In Brookline, Massachusetts, two classroom teachers learned that restructuring the teaching profession had to begin with restructuring the school. Discouraged by disappearing colleagues and dissatisfied students, these teachers began a team teaching and internship project called the Learning/Teaching Collaborative and sought ways to further…

This article discusses implications of educational reform movements for improving the educational well-being of gifted students, in general, and gifted African-American students, in particular. Recommendations for educational improvements are offered in the areas of performance assessment, primary preschool programs, extended school services,…

Four school districts adopted a school restructuring project using Deming's business management method. Deming offered alternative views of organizations based on psychology, systems, perceptual framework, and causes of variance. He listed 14 points for quality improvement. Evaluation indicated that key staff members willingly engaged in…

In interdisciplinary teaming, each student belongs to a manageably sized group of students associated with an in-common, shared group of teachers. Study comparing professional and student involvement in team versus departmental organizational structures supports interdisciplinary teaming for middle schools. Teaming's participative climate is…

Because resistance is inevitable, the primary task of managing change is motivational, not technical. Implementation depends on five change dimensions: reform content, faculty willingness and capacity for change, the school's organizational strength, support and training, and leadership. Innovation is fostered by clarity and focus, participation,…

For 6 years, Frederick County (Maryland) Public Schools has pursued a major restructuring effort involving 30,000 students and 46 schools and covering all disciplines and grades. This initiative involved five components: developing student outcomes, defining curriculum, developing new assessment tasks, planning for instruction, and providing for…

Computer technology can be used in the classroom in three ways: as tools, integrated learning systems, simulations and games to motivate students. This article identifies eight major observations about schools that have adopted computers, discusses resistance to technology, and outlines guidelines for designing a self-improving school system.(39…

Resistance is not simply a function of individual psychology or pathology but is influenced by organizational variables such as norms, legalities, degree of teacher participation, and available resources. Change facilitators should refrain from imposing solutions, concentrate on beliefs and perceptions, emphasize processes, and encourage…

If educational leaders are to reshape education, they must acquire new and effective skills suitable for deployment in the information age. Administrator certification programs need to provide an understanding and application of formal organization theory, management functions, and the relationship of human growth and development to the learning…

To ensure scientific literacy at graduation, teachers at Littleton (Colorado) High School created Direction 2000, a two-year Integrated Science course to introduce students to the life sciences, physical sciences, and earth science. Graduation is based on demonstrations of what students actually know and can do, rather than on accumulated credits.…