This study researched what makes effective schools by studying their internal process variables, which
includes the methods of using human and material resources.
The subjects of the research were academic high schools in the academically equalized regions of
metropolitan areas. 2,367 students of the area were sampled to classify the schools as to their
effectiveness. To define the variables that affect the effectiveness of the school groups, I selected 7
process variables: principals' leadership abilities, schools' climates, students' personalities, peer effects,
students' expectations, and students' learning activities. The degree of the effectiveness was evaluated by
examining preliminary College Student Achievement Tests.
This study followed a procedure of classifying effective and ineffective schools based upon students'
achievements, comparing the process variables between the school groups variance, understanding their
correlations, and ultimately analyzing the causal differences. I used the SPSS, LISREL programs to analyze
t-tests, correlations, and paths.
As a result, the effective schools had a higher variance and more significant paths of process variables.
I ascertained which process variables are determinants of effective schools.