This paper describes the Denver public schools' Standards of Excellence Program, a research-based means of developing and implementing school improvements while reinforcing existing practices characteristic of effective schools. Researchers have identified four indicators of school effectiveness that can be observed, measured, controlled, and remediated: school processes, classroom actions, administrative leadership, and expectations. A dynamic combination of all four factors is present in effective schools. Accordingly, in 1983, the Denver Public Schools Staff Academy developed modules for teaching Standards of Excellence, to be used by principals in familiarizing their staffs with research into effective schools. After the teaching modules are presented, the staff completes assessment instruments to determine which characteristics of effective schools need to be strengthened, in what way, and to what ends. Thereafter, Standards for Excellence recommends that a committee be formed to examine assessment data in order to develop a plan of action for school improvement and a timeline for implementation. Improvements associated with this project have already been shown in the areas of standardized test results, pupil suspension rates, and attendance. (TE)