This document presents findings of the Assessment of School-Based Management Study, which identified the conditions in schools that promote high performance through school-based management (SBM). The study's conceptual framework was based on Edward E. Lawler's (1986) model. The high-involvement framework posits that four resources must spread throughout the organization: power to make or influence decisions; information upon which good decisions can be made; knowledge and skills to perform effectively including good decision-making and problem-solving skills; and rewards for performance. This volume contains four sections: Section 1 includes an executive summary for the study; section 2 presents a summary review of the SBM literature; section 3 presents an overview of study aims and study questions; and section 4 contains a series of articles that draw on cross-site analyses from the two phases of the study. The study found that SBM requires a redesign of the whole school organization rather than a change in school governance. SBM fails when it is adopted as an end in itself; principals work from their own agenda; decision-making power is centered in a single council; and business continues as usual. Strategies for successful implementation of SBM include: (1) establish multiple teacher-led decision-making teams; (2) focus on continuous improvement with school-wide training in functional and process skills, including training in curricular and instructional areas; (3) create a well-developed system for sharing school-related information among a broad range of constituents; (4) develop ways to more effectively reward staff behaviors oriented toward achieving school objectives; (5) select principals who can facilitate and manage change; and (6) use district, state, and/or national guidelines to focus reform efforts and to target changes in curriculum and instruction. Data were obtained from a review of the literature and from over 500 interviews conducted in 44 schools in 13 school districts. Three tables are included. An annotated bibliography is included. (Contains 20 references.) (LMI)