Overview

The Center for Social Organization of Schools (CSOS) was established in 1966 as an educational research and development center at Johns Hopkins University. The purpose of CSOS is to study how changes in the organization of schools can make them more effective for all students in promoting academic achievement, development of potential, and eventual career success. The emphasis on social organization is based in sound theory -- that changes in the structure of an environment will produce changes in the attitudes, behaviors, and accomplishments of the people in that environment. Schools can be made more effective for all students through changes in the organization of the classroom, school, and district. This emphasis compels the center to address many major, practical problems in education, including: ~ How to develop learning environments that minimize student apathy or disruption, and maximize student commitment, satisfaction, and learning; ~ How to organize educational experiences that foster learning among students with different interests and needs; ~ How to facilitate the successful transition from education to work; ~ How to structure and coordinate educational programs to provide fair access to educational and occupational opportunities; ~ How to connect schools with families and communities in ways that promote student success.