TITLE: What Makes a Good Elementary School? A Critical Examination

The magazine publisher is the copyright holder of this article and it is reproduced with permission. Further reproduction of this article in violation of the copyright is prohibited. With a renewed emphasis on student achievement, school improvement, and shared decision making, and in an effort to create and maintain effective schools, researchers try to delineate those characteristics that positively affect student learning and behavior. In exploring the different views that persons have regarding the characteristics of effective schools, the authors reviewed research studies to identify factors considered to be determinants of an effective school. Specific topic areas examined were the views of teachers, parents, and administrators regarding effective schools, as well as an examination of the related research literature. Consistent across the 4 areas was the importance of a positive school climate and strong leadership. Implications for educational leaders are provided. In the last 2 decades, local, state, and national media have challenged the effectiveness of schools and have made parents and educators more aware of the ineffectiveness within and inequities among some schools. Demographic data reflect disparities in schools regarding such variables as family income levels, racial representation, and effective use of limited resources. An example of increased attention t