Discusses whether the disease AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) could be considered a "handicap." Describes a recent court decision, "Arline vs. School Board of Nassau County," in which the court found that a teacher with tuberculosis could be defined as handicapped and that her dismissal was in violation of Section 504 of the…

Discusses the limitations of crossnational comparisons of secondary student performance in the U.S. and selected European and Pacific industrial countries, using mathematics and science data from the International Assessment for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Suggests the most serious problem is the rise of a new educational…

Introduces the following article on "A Study of Schooling," which sought to identify the individual dynamics of a number of schools. Discusses the study's methodology and its relationship to earlier studies, and advances three generalizations on school improvement, involving individual understanding of roles, team efforts, and allowing time for…

"A Study of Schooling" surveyed principals, teachers, parents, and students and observed 1,016 classes in 38 schools. Themes arising from the data involve how teachers teach, what is taught, goals and expectations assigned schools, and difficulties in changing teaching methods. A followup article will appear in the journal's April issue.…

The U.S. political process has been used to define an "adequate" education, in terms of resources, procedures, content, or outcomes. The marketplace also allows individuals to define adequacy through various voucher arrangements. Both mechanisms should be used, based on whether public or private interests are paramount in a particular situation.…

Discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in "San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez," handed down 10 years ago, concerning financial equity in the Texas school finance program. Summarizes Justice Powell's majority opinion and Justice Marshall's dissent and introduces the two following articles assessing the decision's results.…

John Coons, coauthor of a book on equity in public education finance that influenced the theories tested in "San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez," discusses the issues involved in the case, the likely impact had the decision favored the plaintiffs, and the future of school finance reform. (RW)

Summarizes 16 state court decisions in 15 states concerning equity in statewide school finance systems, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez" decision. Finds that some state legislatures and courts reformed their finance systems, while others let inequalities continue. (RW)

To cope with declining high school enrollments, administrators can find new clients, programs, and functions or can cut back by dropping "frills" or closing schools. Guidelines for cuts include three approaches: the rational, cutting the least effective programs; the political, acknowledging political realities; and the symbolic, emphasizing…

School closings may not be efficient. They cause political disruption, impede educational effectiveness (through overcrowded buildings and an aging staff), and show little evidence of saving enough money to justify the trouble. Instead, schools should expand, enter new areas, generate new revenues, and redefine their missions. (RW)

Students in colleges of education are usually not properly trained in ways to teach cooperation. More group assignments should be employed, as well as grading policies that encourage student interaction and help develop interpersonal skills. (Author/RW)

Uses examples from the author's and others' experiences to describe techniques that "cults" use, including emphases on discipline, group identity, confession, constant activity, an unquestioned doctrine, and control of members' communications. Suggests high school courses be taught on cult methods, the Bible as literature, and information…

Discusses the development since 1971 of an alternative school-within-a-school at the Wheatley School in East Williston (New York), emphasizing shared decision making, nontraditional teaching, and student self-evaluation. Describes recent changes in the program to improve both student evaluation and the program's communication with the traditional…

As applied at Lincoln Elementary School in Evansville (Indiana), the Teacher-Directed Inservice Education Program allowed teachers to direct their own learning by contracting for consultation during regular school hours to meet specific needs. The program meets seven guidelines suggested for effective inservice education, including administrator…

Believing that educational reforms are overdue, the author proposes three radical solutions: only validated instructional programs should be implemented, results of systematic public assessments of pupil achievements in learning should be published annually, and teachers should periodically submit evidence of learning achievement in their classes.…