The Jossey-Bass education series

Presents a model for effective school boards, stressing the need to make rational decisions, function cohesively, exercise appropriate authority, connect to the community, work toward board improvement, and act strategically; and offers ideas for making school boards stronger.

The author explains why he believes in academic standards as the only fair method for assessing student performance, offers guidelines for establishing standards systems, and discusses the role of the school superintendent, board of education, and state and national governments in the standards movement.

Offers an in-depth look at six high schools that have pioneered the use of technology within urban school districts and discusses how student engagement and the potential for learning rise when technology becomes an integral part of classroom curriculum.

Explains that schools are unique places that require their own theories and practices and should not copy the features and characteristics of other schools.

Examines how the teaching of writing can be improved in U.S. schools, and provides examples of effective strategies and classroom practices.