The International School Effectiveness Research Programme (ISERP) is an example of the exchange of research and research results in the field of educational effectiveness. It aims to build on existing models of good practice and to avoid the variations in approach that limit the transferability of data within and between countries. A number of studies have been initiated as part of the overall program, including conferences, discussion papers, and the present pilot study that investigates outlier schools in different national cultural contexts. Countries involved are Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The qualitative part of this study includes case studies and a comparison of these studies among countries. The quantitative part of the study examines effective, averagely effective, and ineffective schools in each country, making a distinction between low socioeconomic status (SES) and middle SES schools. Data collection in 1992-93 and that planned for 1993-94 is yielding information that will elucidate variables within schools and contexts that affect school effectiveness. Five tables present preliminary data. (Contains 28 references.) (SLD)