"No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) dictates students in Grades 3, 5, and 8 pass state tests to be promoted. Accordingly, most state education codes require students to pass reading and math exams for promotion. The majority of those who fail, however, appear to be promoted anyway. This article addresses core questions concerning the paradigm under…

Through a leadership for learning approach, a school-university partnership in a large, urban district was able to recruit, develop, and retain new and existing school leaders. Two cohorts of new leaders were trained while existing leaders enhanced their skills through professional development. Data indicated that the school-university partnership…

A growing body of research has confirmed the link between excellent teachers and increased student achievement and school success. Consequently, selecting outstanding teachers is critical. This study examines Illinois principals' teacher hiring practices as well as their perceptions of what teachers do to enhance or hinder their selection.…

The shift in the demographic data highlights the growth in minority, second language learner, and economically disadvantaged student populations that traditionally have been underserved in public schools (Marshall and Oliva 2006). The purpose of this discussion is to explore the leadership praxis of four female secondary school leaders faced with…

With the increasing number of undocumented workers entering the United States and the costs associated with educating their children, bilingual education may soon become the target of opponents of illegal immigration. Furthermore, recent leftist shifts in Latin American governments have provided an impetus for an educated biliterate population…

This essay challenges the conventional understanding of William Bagley and Arthur Bestor, which suggests that they held similar views in curriculum and teacher education. The author thinks this view is completely wrong and provides a radical new interpretation of Bagley and Bestor that uncovers a lost tradition within the field of education.…

A topic that currently is receiving a great deal of attention by educators is the nature and use of WebQuests--computer-based activities that guide student learning through use of the World Wide Web (Sharp 2004). Despite their popularity, questions remain about the effectiveness with which WebQuests are being used with students. This article…

Leadership demands in American public schools have changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Whether--or how--the practice of leadership will change to meet those demands is an open question. The change in demands is largely a consequence of the introduction of performance-based accountability--policies that evaluate, reward, and sanction schools…

The purpose of public schooling in this nation--a nation founded on principles of freedom, justice, and measures of happiness for all--is to educate the citizenry in understanding and abiding by these principles. Public education is rooted in a long tradition. At several important points in history (Kauchak, Eggen, and Carter 2001), through…

School effectiveness and improvement research shows that leadership plays a key role in ensuring the vitality and growth of schools. Yet, there is growing appreciation (Elmore 2000, 2) that "public schools and school systems as presently constituted are simply not led in ways that enable them to respond to the increasing demands they face under…

High-stakes testing costs up to $50 billion per annum, has no impact on student achievement, and has changed the focus of American public schools. This article analyzes the benefits and costs of the accountability movement, as well as discusses its roots in the eugenics movements of the early 20th century.

Increased school violence has heightened advocacy of school prayer. However, an ecumenical, one-size-fits-all approach depersonalizes prayer and ignores its spiritual character and diverse forms of expression. More important are the reintroduction of religious dimensions of culture into the curriculum and an accurate understanding of church-state…

With attention to basic legal issues, teachers can address holidays in meaningful ways. One approach is to organize the study of diverse religious holidays by equinoxes and solstices. This method highlights the connections between religion and science. (SK)

Demographic data depict schools with burgeoning numbers of students of color and extreme underrepresentation of minority teachers. Actions to recruit and retain teachers of color include changing methods of evaluating preservice teachers, providing a strong cultural literacy base for teacher education curriculum, and initiating community-based…

Offers reasons for offering comprehensive sexuality education in public elementary and secondary schools. Articulates an underlying philosophy of democratic ideals that is a necessary precondition for comprehensive sexuality education. (SK)