When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Describe fundamental reasons for improving the schools.
2. Describe research-based approaches to effective teaching and instruction.
3. Describe conclusions of research on effective schools, and analyze reasons for success in school improvement programs.
4. Describe and analyze recent approaches for improvements at the classroom level or across several grades.
5. Describe instructional interventions designed to enhance effectiveness of entire schools
6. Identify efforts to improve educational effectiveness, including business/community partnerships, technology improvements, programs in rural education, increased time for teaching and learning, and improvements in the education of gifted and talented students.
7. Describe the role of school choice programs—including magnet, alternative, and charter schools—in educational reform.
8. Analyze recent efforts to effect systemic and standards-based reform in the educational system.

Focus and Refocus Questions:

When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to answer the following questions from your textbook:

Focus Questions

• What are the characteristics of effective teaching and effective schools?
• What are some of the keys to implementing effective school reform?
• How can we improve instruction at the classroom and school levels?
• How can schools help special populations of students, such as low-income students, rural students, or gifted and talented students?
• What is the role of magnet and alternative schools?
• What reform efforts are being initiated in school districts and state school systems?
• Are nonpublic schools more effective than public schools?
• Will expansion of school choice plans improve education?

Refocus Questions

• What do you believe is the most urgent reason for educational reform?
• Which of the characteristics of effective teaching are you most confident about demonstrating? Which will you need to work hard to develop?
• What steps can you take during your teacher preparation program to help you develop the skills of effective teachers?
• How do you believe that you, as a teacher, will be involved in the implementation of reforms at your school? What do you believe teachers can do to best help with successful reform implementations?
• Have you had a chance to visit any schools that use any of the programs described in this section? Which programs appeal most to you, as a teacher? Why?
• Would you enjoy teaching in a school or school district that has implemented the reforms described in Chapter 16? For example, would you like to teach in a year-round school?
• How will you prepare to effectively teach gifted and talented students?
• Are you planning to teach in a public or nonpublic school? In either case, how do you believe your teaching career would be affected by expanded school choice programs?