This study reports on four urban middle- and high school principals' emotionally shaped sense making of Race to the Top policies and their ability to balance the competing demands of teachers' emotional needs with the charge to implement mandated, accountability-driven, instructional, and evaluation changes in their schools. Despite the pressure…

As population demographics in the United States continue to shift and issues of educational reform are being considered, the promotion of academic success for all children is an ongoing agenda for educators, citizens, and politicians. To provide high-quality education for students from low socioeconomic households and diverse cultural backgrounds,…

Outlines the benefits of establishing exploratory programs for the transition from elementary school curriculum to the more diverse environment of middle level schools. (MD)

United States schools are not providing students with the mathematical background necessary to compete on an international level and become successful adults. Recently, educators and researchers have focused on learning what factors might attribute to this lack of mathematical knowledge. However, few studies have searched for answers from the…

Middle level education needs personnel specifically educated for and committed to working with the middle level age group and program, and this requires the development of sound middle level teacher certification requirements and programs. (Author/DCS)

Lists the strengths and weaknesses of small schools and then makes recommendations for capitalizing on their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. (JM)

Public leadership and public opinion have opened the door for school-business partnerships. Several successful programs are described. The private sector is anxious to help educators develop more effective schools. (MD)

A rural Georgia high school has established a framework of continuous improvement to help it become a learning organization. Teachers are involved at all organizational levels--from school management to instructional practices. Teams of teachers are testing new ideas and knowledge, using data and simple statistical tools to discover what works,…

Four representatives of corporate interests consider the difficulties posed for the nation by the inadequate education being provided in the schools and discuss how business and education can cooperate to improve the quality of education. (PGD)

In community schools, youth, families, and community residents work as equal partners with schools and other organizations to develop programs and services in five areas: quality education, youth development, family support, family and community engagement, and community development. Community schools foster strong partnerships and share…