Reviews several retention-related federal court decisions and suggests 10 best practices that school administrators can use when considering or implementing student-retention policies. (Authors/PKP)

Describes a professional development system focusing on seven specific instructional strategies that was developed and implemented at an inner-city high school in San Diego, California. Reports improvement in student achievement. (PKP)

Discusses and classifies nine strategies for personalizing instruction based on levels of interaction and thoughtfulness: Individualized instruction, accelerated learning, style-based instruction, technology-assisted learning, contract learning, authentic pedagogy, guided practice, cooperative learning, and topic study. (Conatains 11 references.)…

Study of high school, family, and community partnerships is based on reports from 11,000 high school parents and 1,000 high school principals. Findings revealed that regardless of students' background and prior achievement, various parenting, volunteering, and home-learning activities positively influenced student grades, course credits completed,…

Study of sense of community based on survey of parents, teachers, and administrators of nine middle schools implementing parent-involvement programs found that parents' sense of community was positively affected by certain aspects of the program, for example, regular communications about student progress, and by the principal's leadership style.…

Differences among states' average SAT scores are almost entirely attributable to differences in percentage of test takers, parent education and income of test takers, and the high school rank and GPA of the test takers rather than to the quality of the states' education systems. Recommends changes in interpreting and reporting SAT scores.…

Challenges many of the assertions, inferences, and recommendations of the Merchant and Paulson article "State Comparisons of SAT Scores: Who's Your Test Taker?". (Contains five references.) (PKP)

To meet recently promulgated standards, teachers are challenged to teach more rigorous, extensive subject-area content, develop varied instructional strategies, and reach a wider range of students. Teachers should be guided by a high-quality curriculum characterized by academic rigor, equity, and developmental responsiveness. (MLH)

Curriculum auditing is a quality-control process. If a course is not meeting expectations, is not serving students, or needs adjustment, the Roanoke Valley (Virginia) Governor's School for Science and Technology employs benchmarking to attain data to fix the problem or move in another direction. (MLH)

Clearly, class-size reduction has become a public-relations issue that educational leaders can use as an opportunity to communicate and gain support for all school reforms. Implications for principals include keeping the school community informed, involving teachers, knowing relevant research, and using creative class-size reduction methods.…

There are three reasons that specially designed instruction at the high-school level is improperly delivered: teachers may not understand the requirements, know how to make appropriate accommodations, or follow what has been outlined. Scheduling mismatches and failed behavior-management implementations are additional factors. Planning ahead avoids…

School administrators are challenged to maintain the delicate balance between protecting individuals' rights and ensuring the general welfare by maintaining a safe, secure learning environment. Legal principles and precedents governing restrictions on student appearance, privacy and procedural rights, harassment and hate crimes, and suicide are…

Although school tragedies are not totally preventable, they will be far more preventable if schools develop a written school safety plan. Components should include legally mandated safety drills, regularly scheduled school safety audits and evaluations, a student apparel policy, a schoolwide discipline plan, and a closed campus. (MLH)

To make schools safer places for students, educators must incorporate eight conditions that promote young people's aspirations: belonging, community, and participation; sense of accomplishment; heroes (caring adults); curiosity and creativity; spirit of adventure; fun and excitement; leadership and responsibility; and self-confidence. (MLH)

Teachers experienced with entry-level technology tools are poised to move from literacy to fluency. The Independent Professional Development in Technology model was developed to extend individual professional development in classroom applications of newer, more sophisticated educational technologies. Design, benefits, and implementation strategies…