In this article, the author questions why the resegregation of U.S. schools into two systems--one poor and urban and one well-off and suburban--has remained unnoticed by the public and policy makers. As for state and national policy makers, they have diverted attention away from the deep political, social, and economic forces that have conspired…

In May 2008, the National Assessment Program--Literary and Numeracy (NAPLAN) conducted nation-wide tests for reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. A national assessment program of this kind should provide the stimulus for macro-level (systemic) analytical studies and micro-level (individual school and/or class) analytical studies…

From the nefarious achievement gaps, to the racial isolation in increasingly segregated schools; from the digital divide that results in kids not having access to computers, to the poverty gulf that results in kids not having homes; from boys' reading difficulties and girls' problems with math, to the disparities among rural, suburban, and urban…

After spending 9 years as assistant superintendent of a 3,600-student district, the new superintendent of a suburban Chicago district offers some perspectives concerning his first year on the job. Whether lobbying for sufficient funding, making staff cutbacks, or dealing with problem students, the new superintendent remains optimistic and…

Online learning, also referred to as distance education in this article, involves a variety of approaches, such as making resources available electronically and creating rich, interactive online experiences with class activities using Web tools like chat and discussion groups. Online courses offer flexibility as they may not require learners to…

Throughout Texas, enrollments in suburban school districts have been rising, and in some instances, the increases have been substantial. Causes of this demographic trend are multifaceted, but in most instances they are an intricate mix of state population growth and urban flight. Rapidly growing suburban districts, like all Texas districts,…

The transfer of students between city and suburban schools is a matter of debate. Includes comments from two Minnesota superintendents, a school board chairman, and a former school administrator. (MLF)

Presents the results of interviews with parents of children attending a suburban parochial school in New Jersey concerning their personal reflections about Catholic schools. Considers parents' reasons for sending their children to Catholic school, financial concerns, and evaluation of the school. Offers observations and recommendations to guide…

When Jack Helfrich arrived as superintendent of the Ken-Ton Schools a decade ago, the western New York district was reeling from an enrollment plunge that halved the number of students, cut 600 teaching jobs, and closed 12 of 28 schools. Under Helfrich's leadership, schools assume responsibility for setting goals and making decisions related to…

Cochise Jackson, a Black teacher with inner-city origins, shares two "war stories" to illustrate disillusioning student responses to some innovative critical thinking exercises. According to Cochise, the me-generation, whether rich or poor, wants mainly to be entertained. Suburban kids are as damaged by segregation and quick fixes as…

Argues that while No Child Left Behind Act allows parents to transfer their children from failing schools to better performing ones or to enroll them in "supplemental services," few parents have exercised these options because many suburban schools have resisted transfers and few urban districts have informed parents of these options.…

In this interview, John Forte, Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools' assistant superintendent for general services, explains how he uses his training and professional experience to oversee a smoothly running operation in one of the nation's largest school districts. His real challenge is providing extra support to students in low-income areas.…

Making classroom materials relevant to students is paramount for one Missouri high school English teacher. Since a relevant curriculum needs more than short stories and essays, she has incorporated books like Ngugi Wa Thiong'o's "Weep Not, Child," Kamala Markandaya's "Nectar in a Sieve," and Charles Dickens's "Tale of Two…

Two experienced elementary principals leading challenging suburban schools believe principals' greatest responsibility is helping others. To survive, principals should maintain a sense of humor, grow thicker skin, regard parents as potential allies, team with staff and respect their individual talents, hire the best teachers, and act in students'…

The problem of student failure has been aggravated by the worsening financial condition of large U.S. cities. The author offers several partial solutions that might help schools combat the problem of dwindling resources. (Author/WD)