To achieve excellence in education, school leaders need to dispel five myths concerning educators' talent and commitment, higher teacher salaries, societal influences on schools, tough educational standards, and the free market or voucher system. The key is visionary leadership based on openness to change and educator empowerment. (MLH)

Whereas schools are organized around stability, uniformity, tradition, and ceremony, business operates on a more Darwinian "adapt or perish" ethic. Although business and public education have different goals, educators should look to successful companies for clues to size, assessment, leadership, and accountability. Includes nine references. (MLH)

School reform proponents and educators often disagree concerning the achievement of educational excellence. Points of friction develop around quality judgments, leadership roles, the success-failure continuum, "guaranteed" results, and financial commitment. The common ground supporting educators and outside reformers is the desire for students to…

Education aims to enhance mental and moral growth and to prepare youngsters to improve the environment and quality of life for themselves and future generations. Whereas traditional educational practice separates basic learning functions into independently organized instructional units, tomorrow's school curricula must concentrate on the global…

Future school curricula are likely to be less departmentalized and more integrated and holistic. This article summarizes new trends and emerging issues, such as telecommunications; computer literacy; nuclear, environmental, and AIDS education; nutrition and exercise, aging education, and futuristic study. Includes 18 notes. (MLH)

Only one overriding issue faces today's educators: the transformation to communication learning systems that will make schools obsolescent. Educators must involve their communities in "imagineering" the long-term future and dismantling the existing system, with its seven period days, ABCDF report cards, group-paced instruction, and labeling of…

Outlines 14 leadership qualities, including physical vitality, intelligence, judgment-in-action, task and interpersonal competence, understanding of followers, courage, flexibility, confidence, capacity to motivate, and need to achieve. Leadership is not absolutely situation-specific; the attributes required depend on the leadership context, the…

The most profound educational implication of computers in the workplace is the replacement of observational learning with symbolic learning. Economic changes demand higher order thinking skills, knowing how to learn, and teamwork and conflict resolution abilities. An entirely new educational vocabulary and accountability system are needed.…

Accelerating social and economic changes have contributed to a widespread sense of alienation affecting the school and its functions, goals, and activities. To reduce unacceptable alienation levels, the school must clarify its own mission, understand the relationship between social and academic issues, define its responsibility, and encourage…

Presents five strategies (incorporating a strategic plan, shared decision-making, special topic seminars, a community project, and educator seminars) designed to reduce high school student alienation within months and produce long-term effects on students, teachers, and administrators. Cooperation is the key to success. Includes six references.…

Charts modern phenomena (technology, urbanization, affluence, large institutions, mass media, and others) that affect human interactions and teach certain attitudes. Provides supporting statistics to show increases in youth suicide, illegitimate births, delinquency, substance abuse, and homicide. Outlines desirable school changes producing modest…

Following a brief literature review and a case study involving multiple suicides within a one-week period, recommendations are offered for dealing with the death of a student. The key to addressing adolescent suicide in schools is advance planning and clear task responsibilities. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Describes Operation Snowball, an extensively used prevention model that emerged in response to drug abuse problems in school and society. Designed to engender positive student attitudes, this program combats alienation and attendant substance abuse through a process emphasizing information, education, alternatives to drugs, and environmental…

As parental supervision declines, behavioral and psychological risks for young people increase. This study presents data outlining differences between regularly supervised and relatively unsupervised young adolescents in the ways they spend their time. Unsupervised teens' lifestyles are dramatically different from their supervised counterparts.…

For some youth, schools provide more structure and stability than any other source. Project Pioneer, a pilot project at a Wichita (Kansas) high school, helps create a support base for high risk youths entering high school. Success depends on extensive staff training and close counseling for potential dropouts. (MLH)