During its first two years of operation, the Second Mile Plan of the Houston (Texas) Independent School District successfully used financial incentives to encourage improved teacher attendance, staff stability in inner-city schools, teacher professional development, improved academic achievement, and higher employment in areas of staff shortages.…

Endowed chairs for excellent teachers in public schools could motivate teachers, increase the prestige of the schools, and provide a public relations angle for both the schools and the businesses or individuals establishing the endowments. (PGD)

The five teaching techniques most often cited as effective by secondary students surveyed in Little Rock (Arkansas) were: (1) provision of clear, complete explanations and concrete examples; (2) a positive, relaxed learning environment; (3) individualized instruction; (4) adequate academic learning time; and (5) teacher enthusiasm and ability to…

Demonstrates how teachers--without disrupting their teaching duties--can increase their effectiveness by conducting research on teaching methods in their own classrooms, using simple data collection techniques and research methods permitting confident development of hypotheses and research strategies. (PGD)

All students of education need to learn what educational research is and how it can be read and understood. Successful review of research reports involves identifying and analyzing the research problem; the theoretical concepts concerned; the research assumptions; the methodology and procedures utilized; and the findings, conclusions, and…

Presents a flow chart for turning good ideas into complete proposals before proposing them. The process involves clarifying the idea and assessing its current practicality, value for the program, compatibility with policy, implications, costs, funding sources, and implementation time requirements. (PGD)

Describes the successful Alternative Learning Program for the High School Age (ALPHA), an optional program for 40 high school students disaffected by the traditional educational system in the Livonia (Michigan) School District. ALPHA involves communication workshops, community service, and dedicated teachers and is well supported by the central…

Outlines the facts and judicial history of Board of Education v. McCluskey, a case involving disagreement between a lower court's interpretation of school rules and the school board's interpretation. Discusses the Supreme Court's split decision reversing the lower court ruling and that split's implications for future educational law cases. (PGD)

National-level educational policy is being rapidly decentralized, according to this article, which offers a historical framework for understanding the new era in national education politics. The author analyzes implications of the changes taking place and discusses options open to proponents of a vigorous federal role in education. (Author/WD)

Argues that the Reagan administration is dismantling the educational efforts of the past 50 years, which could result in chaos. Suggests that state departments are incapable of exercising leadership in the absence of a federal role. Predicts the abandonment of educational research and special concerns and the demise of equality. (Author/WD)

Argues that the primary difference between the federal role in education of the Reagan administration and that of its predecessors is one of form and of funding. Suggests that the federal presence in education will continue and that educators, as advocates, can influence the future. (Author/WD)

Discusses the factors that have reduced state revenues, the impact of the changes in revenues, and the financing of K-12 education. Forecasts an unprecedented decline in the fiscal health of many states during the next few years. (Author/WD)

Reductions in personal and corporate income tax rates are expected to have a negative impact on charitable giving to public education. At the same time, grant makers are demanding that grant recipients improve their efficiency and effectiveness and broaden their basis of support. (Author/WD)

Gives a brief history of Essentialism, which emphasizes basic education and seeks to eliminate peripheral activities, and analyzes its implications for the 1980s, when public education is being called upon to retrench in behalf of school quality. Offers seven steps concerned educators and citizens can take to promote school improvement. (Author/WD)

Examines issues underlying tuition tax credits and relates them to the role of education in a democracy. Discusses competing sources of authority and separate communities of interest that could benefit from a tax credit system. Concludes that education should be organized to serve as an instrument of social regeneration. (Author/WD)