Although schools and districts are increasingly required to provide various supports and instructional programs for English Language Learners (ELLs), standardized measures of these students' academic achievement continue to be low. This article summarizes key findings of two major reviews of the research on educating ELLs that were completed in…

Discusses research on successful support programs for potential dropouts. Describes a Detroit high school's Ninth Grade Project 96 program, an intervention strategy for high-risk, low-achieving students. The program used a modified block schedule; attendance, academic, and monitoring interventions; incentives and rewards; and team teachers.…

Commonly recommended strategies for improving school bus order and safety include developing and communicating basic rules and consequences, ensuring consistency between bus and school rules, assigning teachers to supervise bus loading areas, providing bus drivers with training in preventing disruptions, installing radio systems, and involving…

Describes 4 X 4 block scheduling and its advantages and disadvantages. Examines block scheduling's effects on a Virginia high school's students, teachers, and administration, based on school data and survey results. Most participants preferred block scheduling over the six-period schedule. Grades, attendance, and discipline improved; students…

This literature review on mentoring at-risk students first encapsulates the history of North American mentoring programs, highlighting a late 19th-century Friendly Visiting Movement and recent 100 Black Men of Atlanta and the Toronto Learning Partnership projects. Mentoring program goals, benefits, effectiveness, challenges, and planning problems…

Discusses a study of combined school/community libraries in eight small communities in South Dakota and Minnesota. Students get more time to use the library, enhanced collections and research opportunities, and improved technological access. The community gets longer operating hours, a better reference section, access to technology, and a…

Drawing from research and practice, this article describes some benefits of interdisciplinary curriculum, identifies implementation barriers, and underscores the principal's pivotal role. Each principal must be visionary and knowledgeable; function as cheerleader and coach; and provide opportunities for teachers, students, and parents to develop…

This literature review addresses four variables related to school climate: teacher efficacy, collegiality (as promoted by the principal, shared decision making, and staff development), student achievement, and parent involvement. Schools attempting reform should consider how each of these variables can contribute to a positive school climate and…

Research shows that the minority/white achievement gap is real and is having devastating effects on youth and society. However, school leaders can influence certain educational causes and correlates (like teacher qualifications and expectations). Programs must be individualized, and narrowing the achievement gap should become a national priority.…