Improving school effectiveness in England and especially in Scotland is treated here in 11 articles, derived from long-term studies by their authors. A study of 24 schools is used for an essay on the use of "critical friends" to improve schools, the significance of a school development plan, the links between attitudes and attainment, and the ethos of a school and its capacity for change. A common theme in these studies is the effect on research, students, teaching, and morale of the overwhelming number of governmental initiatives requiring changes to school curriculum and governance. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)