Reports on union-negotiated reforms in several large urban school districts that included peer review, teacher induction, professional development, and performance rewards. (PKP)

Cites research finding strong association between presence of teacher unions in a state and high performance on SAT and ACT. After briefly tracing the development of the teacher-union movement, describes Rochester Teacher Association's efforts to reform itself and to support district reform efforts. Describes Teacher Union Reform Network. (PKP)

Using data from 1996 National Household Education Survey, reports that a higher percentage of students in private schools, especially Catholic schools, acquire civic engagement skills (voluntary community service, civic skills), have greater political knowledge, and have a higher level of political tolerance than do students in public schools.…

Explains why education researchers object to the use of randomized experiments to evaluate education reforms. Discusses limitations to two alternative methods: the use of intensive case studies and quasi-experiments. Calls for greater use of randomized experiments to evaluate education reforms. (PKP)

Critical review of "Education Week's" annual compilation "Quality Counts." (PKP)