This review summarizes and analyzes the body of research on the characteristics of effective schools in addition to early input-output research, which implied that the determinants of student achievement lay chiefly outside the control of the schools. Chapter 1 discusses patterns in the results of input-output studies, including research investigating the relationship between specific school resources and student performance. Chapter 2 answers the question "Do Schools Matter?" with a presentation of research demonstrating that what occurs in the school significantly affects student achievement. Chapter 3 provides the findings of effective schools research, describing in detail the characteristics of effective schools. Listed in chapter 4 are major criticisms of effective schools research, chapter 5 summarizes the key points of the preceding chapters, and a substantial appendix offers synopses of the studies reviewed. (MJL)