Studies of the relationship between increased spending for education and student achievement have failed to take into account teacher knowledge and ability. The authors' study showed wide variation within schools and concluded that research on the effects of schooling is weakened by concentrating on entire schools and school systems. (Author/WD)

Analyzes the issues and decisions in recent court cases concerning student participation in interscholastic athletics, particularly at the secondary school level, and notes the potential impact of the decisions on athletic regulations. Covers handicapped-related conditions, property rights in participation, due process, and the reasonableness of…

Asserts that the impact of the last decade's legislation providing for sex equity in sports programs has actually reduced professional opportunities for women and has forced women's athletic programs and sports organizations to adopt the competitive philosophy traditional in men's sports. Considers effects of recent court litigation and…

Considers the costs and benefits of high school sports programs as typified by those in Colorado Springs (Colorado), informally assessing the attitudes of players, coaches, parents, and district administrators concerning the role of athletics in the educational setting and in the community at large. (PGD)

Claims that students' self-discipline is the key factor in learning and that the structure of the school is the key factor in developing self-discipline in students. Suggests ways schools can develop awareness of the effects of their structures on student behavior and learning and make appropriate improvements. (PGD)

Responds to the previous article by rejecting arguments that the relevance, arbitrariness, or external origin of disciplinary policies have any significant impact on those policies' effectiveness in building student character or promoting self-disciplined learning. Proposes focusing instead on observable conduct and providing encouragement for…

Comments on Etzioni's claim that student self-discipline is crucial to learning. Agrees that discipline policies and motivation are related but contends Etzioni fails to consider effects of cultural and class differences and ignores the fundamental issue of balancing rewards for individual effort and rewards for excellence among peers. (PGD)

Reports on a study of 14 elementary and secondary schools, showing that incentives encourage teachers to continue innovative practices. Notes that principals are in the best position to provide incentives and considers the nature of incentives for both principals and teachers. (PGD)

Exposes four myths that undermine efforts to improve writing and writing instruction in U.S. schools. Discusses the importance of teacher attitudes and proposes five methods for encouraging teachers to use and demand good writing. Explains three ways students can use writing to enhance subject matter learning. (Author/PGD)

Noting the inadequate vocabularies of students in her college writing classes, the author calls for a revival of close textual reading at all educational levels as a means of improving reading and vocabulary skills. (PGD)

Outlines the expansion since 1966 in the size, accessibility, and utilization of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), a national, computerized educational database. Describes four typical cases in which ERIC searches proved useful to clients of the San Mateo (California) Educational Resources Center, an agency offering ERIC search…

Describes the changing nature of higher education in Singapore, exploring particularly the government's manipulation of the country's lone (but rapidly growing) university to further national political and economic policy. Educational quality and academic freedom are noted as remaining at high levels despite the university's lack of institutional…

Identifies the organizational and public contact strategies used successfully by school supporters in three school funding elections in the Clayton (Missouri) School District between 1975 and 1980. Notes the types of voters contacted by block workers prior to the 1980 election and analyzes their subsequent voting behavior. (PGD)

Horizon High School combats student dropout rates in Bakersfield (California) by maintaining a small enrollment, high community involvement, close student-teacher relationships, flexible scheduling, and attention to individual students' educational needs and interests. Student attendance, graduation rates, and standardized test scores are…

After recognizing the failures of the educational system to meet student needs, the Utah State Board of Education mandated annually reviewed individual education plans, modeled on those required under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, for all students. This article reviews this program, its implementation, and its accomplishments.…