A Missouri inschool suspension program is described that attempts to improve the educational environment while allowing continuous instruction. (MD)

Recent trends are reviewed in support of the contention that urban education is returning to the educational mainstream. The emphasis on professional accountability and the principal as instructional leader, the promise of effective schools research, stronger school-business relationships, and more effective public relations are discussed. (MJL)

This article sketches the background of current problems facing urban secondary school principals and cites a profile of the effective urban principal derived from recent research. Outstanding problems concerning the conditions and role of the urban principalship are discussed. (MJL)

An example presented from a teacher's perspective illustrates the implementation of shared governance procedures that allowed teachers to demonstrate leadership, increased confidence in the system, and enhanced awareness of the process of accomplishing change. By improving teacher-administrator communication, shared governance is seen as removing…

This summary of a study describing the communications of school administrators and teachers and the degree of congruency between principals' and teachers' instructional intentions and students' and teachers' perceptions of classroom events concludes by proposing Rensis Likert's overlapping work groups as a more effective organizational pattern for…

This essay contends that the neglect of urban education inherent in the Reagan administration's policy of phasing out federal support for education establishes an environment threatening to the nation. It is argued that investment in human resources now will lead to payoffs in future tax contributions. (MJL)

An improved school climate and dramatic gains in student attendance, achievement, and behavior are outcomes of one school's improvement project that utilized practices including student involvement in planning and peer counseling, teacher modeling of optimistic attitudes and increased expectations of students, parent participation, rewards for…

The characteristics of one high school's effectiveness are summarized and the ingredients of its success outlined. Described as extremely important to the school are its commitment to educating students in democratic values and its attempt to practice the democratic ethos in governance, student activities, instruction, regulations, parent…

Changes instituted by a new superintendent in 1975 and credited with improving student achievement and the educational climate include establishment of measurable goals, a curriculum stressing basic instruction, staff development activities, a diagnostic testing program, differentiated courses offering remedial instruction, teacher redistribution,…

The Atlanta school superintendent describes the city's concerns and strengths in conjunction with policies devoted to improving students' academic achievement and career preparation and placement. Strategies implemented include winning principals' cooperation, inservice teacher training in reading and mathematics, partnership with businesses, and…

Changes signaling more effective public education that taxpayers have not yet perceived include targeting of resources to deficient schools, summer remedial programs and tougher student promotion policies, principal training programs, more efficient use of funds, improved student achievement, new regulations reducing school violence, and increased…

After a brief history of the states' role in financing public schools since 1970, their current fiscal status and budgetary actions are reviewed. The impact of tax-cutting initiatives on California and Massachusetts schools and districts' solutions are considered. Guiding principles for allocating reduced funds are proposed. (MJL)

Suggested methods for principals to enhance the constitutional literacy of their students preface a speech by the Chief Justice that analyzes the historical context of the Constitutional Convention with particular reference to the problematical fear of central power. (MJL)

Eight New Mexico Citizen Advisory Councils identified competencies within essential task areas for councils in community school settings. Task areas cited include fiscal management, programing, facilities use, identifying community resources, publicity, and organization and administration of the program. Productivity can be enhanced by identifying…

A committee of business executives and educational leaders list common interests including the possibilities of joint lobbying, influencing students, reduction of welfare and unemployment costs, addressing the problems of minority and disadvantaged students, cooperatively developing human resources, and determining community needs. Options for…