Affirming the basic value of the emphasis in much recent literature on the need for increased school effectiveness, the author argues that more attention should be given to the problem of "school climate" and to a resolution of the tension between state-mandated uniformity and school-level autonomy. (JBM)

Isolation, sparsity, smallness, and differentness hamper pursuit of quality rural education. Necessary basic conditions for quality education are attractive buildings with positive school climate; strong teacher/administrator leadership; core curricula reflecting rural values/culture; high academic expectations for all students; and use of…

In a study of over 500 16-year-old Australian students from different social classes, differences in educational and occupational aspirations were found to be related most strongly to students' perceptions of their family learning environments. Social class differences were also noted; students' perceptions of school environments were least…

As teacher educators, the authors visit numerous learning environments. Each school has its own unique characteristics and personality. Some schools seem to have a magnetic draw, filling the senses with energy, wonder and intrigue. This energy, writes the authors, stems from a symbiotic relationship, a flow of spaces that work together…

This document was produced by the authors based on their research for the report "VET in Schools: A Post-Compulsory Education Perspective," and is an added resource for further information. This support document presents the following appendixes: (1) Issues Paper; (2) Brief for TAFE Paper; (3) Partner TAFE Submission--The Role of TAFE in…

This book contains 22 papers on reflective learning in practice. The following papers are included: "Our Purpose" (Ann Brockbank, Ian McGill, Nic Beech); "The Nature and Context of Learning" (Ann Brockbank, Ian McGill, Nic Beech); "Reflective Learning and Organizations" (Ann Brockbank, Ian McGill, Nic Beech);…

A parent objects to a curriculum that includes a unit on Greek gods, arguing that it violates the separation of church and state. As a teacher or administrator, how should you respond? This type of issue is one most educators will have to confront eventually, in addition to other hot-button issues such as zero-tolerance policies, drug and alcohol…

CES EssentialVisions is releasing three DVDs over the course of fall 2005, 2006, and 2007. Each DVD will capture how the Common Principles have been implemented, illustrating how students engage in their own education and how teachers develop as professionals. Focused segments provide unique perspectives on the benefits and challenges of each…

This report was developed to highlight the current state of affairs and illustrate the value of a unifying framework and integrated infrastructure for the many initiatives, projects, programs, and services schools pursue in addressing barriers to learning and promoting healthy development. Specifically, it highlights how initiatives can be…

This document discusses results from a Campus Climate survey conducted at Cypress College on faculty and staff during the fall 2000 semester. The survey queried employees regarding their general perception of the campus, ethnic diversity, job satisfaction, and perceptions of the students and programs. This was the first time such a study was…

This book identifies 26 essential traits and behaviors of effective principals to show how they achieve success as instructional leaders. The contents and conclusions are based on 81 key research articles from the last 20 years. The book also reviews differences in instructional leadership between elementary and secondary principals; male and…

Culturally responsive teaching cannot be approached as a recipe or series of steps that teachers can follow to become effective with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. Instead, it relies on the development of certain dispositions toward learners and a holistic approach to curriculum and instruction. This digest draws on a…

This book discusses how educators can achieve inclusive classrooms that give students with different abilities the maximum opportunity for growth. It provides frameworks for planning learning environments, content, process, and products that enable students with learning challenges to succeed with meaningful curriculum. Decision-making guidelines…

In 1992, a collaboration of educational reform organizations, the New York City Board of Education, a teachers' union, and private funders created a model of urban high school reform that was practitioner-driven. Two failing high schools, one in Manhattan and one in the Bronx, were phased out while 11 new, small autonomous high schools were…

This study examines the degree to which New York City's immigrant students are segregated and how segregation varies across groups with differing language skills and from different countries. It notes how schools attended by immigrant students differed by student characteristics, teachers, and funding levels. After reviewing the literature on…