One of the most significant educational reforms in Western Europe during the last two decades has been the attempt to create a system of comprehensive secondary schools. The traditional approach to secondary education was characterized by a highly stratified formal system in which students were allocated to academic, commercial, or vocational…

The author explores a number of issues which he feels will affect English schools, particularly comprehensive secondary schools, in the 1980s: standards (mixed ability teaching, testing, articulation); declining enrollment; parent/community participation in school governance; and external social change. Related trends in Europe and the United…

Social and cultural norms, institutional reinforcements, and adult oversight that used to enforce a moratorium on adolescent sexual activity have been largely relaxed, and the present approach to sex education is merely leaving adolescents adrift to fend for themselves. It is time to overhaul comprehensive sex education. (SLD)

A comprehensive school health education program should maintain, reinforce, or enhance the health, health-related skills, and attitudes of students. An overview of the components of such a program, as well as criteria defining significant elements, is provided. (DF)

Conant's "The American High School Today" (1959) conveyed his confidence in consolidation of smaller schools into comprehensive high schools. The book sparked criticism. Conant's personal papers reveal that his breezy optimism hid doubts, frustrations, and uncertainties. The contradiction in his views foreshadows the turbulent 1960s. (PB)

Presents a response to "School Psychologists as Health-Care Providers in the 21st Century: Conceptual Framework, Professional Identity, and Professional Practice" (this issue). The author supports the call for school psychologists to assume leadership in facilitating the necessary coordination across systems for such a role change to…

Maintains that the practices of various school systems are not directly transferable to other societies, in part, because to be effective, each educational system must closely reflect the ethos of those it is called upon to serve. Examples of failed attempts to transfer practices are included. (JDH)

The similarities among comprehensive high schools in the United States promote equity and social integration rather than educational excellence. Increased specialization would encourage competition for students and provide schools with a sense of mission, two factors critical to developing strong faculties committed to improving education. (PGD)

Lists the attributes of quality vocational education programs: depth of instruction, closeness to industry, and response to labor market demands. Indicates why it is difficult for comprehensive high schools to offer high quality programs, due to size of enrollment, administrative leadership, and personnel policy. (SK)

From his 20 years experience in modeling a comprehensive school according to genuinely comprehensive principles, the author gives a considered statement of his objectives and experiences. (This article is part of a theme issue on comprehensive education in Britain.) (Editor/SJL)

There is a widespread perception that urban public school education has failed: a perception that has attracted the concerned attention of businessmen and government officials. The crux of the problem is our nation's failure to do enough for children early enough to make a lasting difference in their lives. Too little too late seems to be the…

Presents a response to "School Psychologists as Health-Care Providers in the 21st Century: Conceptual Framework, Professional Identity, and Professional Practice" (this issue). The author highlights some of the reforms required of the profession to respond to these challenges and describes implications for the training of practitioners.…

Major socioeconomic trends, including the growth of service industries, increased urbanization, and the enhanced importance of leisure time, have brought about the evolution of what might be called the full-service community college. This institution, which culminates the development of the American community college toward its community-based…

Tracing the development of comprehensive schools in relation to working class protests against separate schools for different social classes, the author argues that comprehensives may yet fail because lower-class children continue to be patronized by teachers who feel they cannot learn. (Part of a theme issue on comprehensive education in…

The author sees a return to elitism in the educational policies of Britain's present Conservative Government. She analyzes two Parliamentary bills designed to reverse the 1976 comprehensive schools act and, in the name of parent choice, to establish new selective secondary school entry rules and to subsidize private education. (SJL)