At their annual meeting, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) proposed that school reform begin with schools within schools. The arrangement would involve groups of teachers who plan and set up experimental schools within existing schools. (MLF)

Three facilities ranging from elementary to university levels are examples of modern schools in terms of electrical features, flexibility, and concept. (Author/MLF)

This fastback document explores ways to develop alternative high-school programs to help at-risk students. It focuses on the "school within a school" model where the emphasis is on a caring school climate and smaller class sizes. The booklet offers a step-by-step guide for developing an alternative school, which begins with determining the need…

A $2.3 million renovation that concentrated on mechanical systems and windows helped cut fuel consumption 30 percent at a Pennsylvania junior high school. One of the objectives of the project was the creation of three separate minischools for the three grade levels assigned to the facility. (Author/MLF)

Describes how a vertical teaching team established a school-within-a-school for grades 1 to 4 at Narcoossee Community School in St. Cloud, Florida. Includes planning, space allocation, curriculum content, and across-grade coordination. Describes benefits to teachers and students. (PKP)

Describes how several small schools have collaborated with the community and shared facilities, such as a former church, a former carriage factory, a medical complex, and a community college. Some of these small schools use social-service agency staff, others create schools-within-schools, and still others become charter schools. (PKP)

In 1990, Kent-Meridian High School in Kent, Washington, decided to implement four schools within schools, each with its separate academic and career focus. The first section of this paper outlines the 3-year evaluation plan for the Health/Science School (1992-1995), with a focus on identifying program outcomes and developing assessment measures.…

In England, a 40-item test of a child's ability to draw the ground floor layout of his or her home was developed. Findings of initial analyses indicated that subjects' drawings improved between the ages of 6 and 12 years. In order to test the cross-cultural validity of the standardization of the test and to see if the order of concept development…

Proposes a modified English "house system" to personalize American high schools, thus increasing individual guidance and student sense of belonging. (DW)

This newsletter briefly discusses the question of whether or not large secondary schools suffer from more problems than smaller schools and then examines the possibility of subdividing large schools through use of the "school-within-a-school" approach. Two different variations on the school-within-a-school approach are described, including…

Attempts to determine whether behavior problems were as great a concern in schools-within-a-school as they were perceived to be in regular high schools. Uses student and teacher ratings as criteria for evaluating behavior problems. (Author/RK)

Describes the advantages of the small school-within-a-school plan for students having difficulty growing in an ordinary large secondary school. Uses the example of Santa Maria High School in California and how it gives students an opportunity to study a curriculum suitable for their future expectations. (RK)

Santa Maria High School reorganized its management structure so that the comprehensive program for 2400 students requires only four line administrators. Students and teachers are grouped into three learning units, organized around the graduation proficiency requirements of California law AB 65. An organizational chart is provided. (SJL)

High school is an inescapably vocational institution whose occupational focus is largely hidden. Integration of vocational and academic education through academies, occupationally focused schools, and occupational clusters may eliminate "shopping mall" course selections, improve teaching of all subjects, enhance student engagement with learning,…

Presents results of a school-restructuring case study involving a high school participating in the Coalition of Essential Schools and RE: Learning Project. Nine common coalition principles were implemented, primarily within the school-within-a-school program. Barriers included staff jealousy, political controversy, decreased staff development…