Educators concerned with effectiveness outcomes have become increasingly involved with participative organizational and teaching practices designed to improve school climate. Since schools have traditionally emphasized "top down" management and decision-making procedures, few school districts have the experience or expertise to develop…

Profound changes taking place in communities and in universities are bringing researchers and community members new opportunities for joint research endeavors and new problems that must be resolved. In such partnerships, questions about shared decision making--about the ethics of collaboration--arise at every stage: Who decides which problems are…

A fairness committee consists of a group of about 15 people, usually students, teachers, and administrators, who are either volunteers or are elected. This committee tries to improve the overall school climate by improving the quality of relationships between students, teachers, and administrators. It offers a neutral place for individuals to…