Discusses the use of quality circles within the college library. Defines a quality circle; examines the history, philosophy, characteristics, and objectives of quality circles; discusses the relationship of quality circles with library management; and explains their creation, implementation, benefits and limitations. (DMM)

The effects of different group processes on team performance is examined using a formative evaluation. A taxonomy of six different decision-making and leadership styles is developed. Cohesion was found to be a significant factor in explaining high performance. (Author/BL)

A methods course which allowed students to choose authoritarian, autonomous, or democratic approaches to learning is described and evaluated. Outcomes from both the learners' and the tutor's viewpoint are given. (Author/MT)

This article illustrates the contradictions between the collaborative paradigm and the real world by analyzing a recent experience in a collaborative curriculum inquiry. (MT)

Nominal group technique is a small group decision-making process for problem identification and resolution. Used with 55 elementary school teachers in a study funded by five National Education Association affiliates to identify significant job stressors, the method appears to be a meaningful way to involve teachers in defining their perceived…

Analyzes the importance of staff development (broadly defined as anything that enables teachers to learn) and considers different development structures. Describes the role and duties of staff developer at a Cambridge, Massachusetts, elementary school as well as its "teacher teams," groups of instructors who meet monthly to discuss…

An example shows how a group of professionals and citizens can select a feasible site for a facility by rank ordering criteria of availability, population, accessibility, and cost. (MLF)

Discusses collaborative action research, a method by which teachers can update their curricula together. The authors give examples of how this method could work. Also, they suggest how this concept can be broadly applied to working with groups external to the school. (CT)

Describes a method for effecting change used with large secondary schools. Workshop participants explored the value of experiential, participative approaches to change and considered how what they bring to a situation can be creatively integrated with what is found in the changed situation. (JOW)

This book suggests that a solution to schools' lack of comprehensive literacy programs may be found through innovations in collaborative decision making about curriculum and instruction. It provides analyses of collaborative efforts, multiple ways to think about collaboration and its implementation, and examples of collaborative projects. After an…

In the 1970s a new form of outdoor trip programming appeared. Known as "common adventure," its best known trait is the absence of a designated leader. In 1970, Gary Grimm, the University of Oregon's first outdoor program coordinator, laid out the key principles: self-directed learning, formation of groups of people with similar interests…

This study examined collaborative planning and decision making in a grade level team of elementary teachers during team meetings. Fourteen teachers in a suburban district participated over 3 years. Participants were predominantly white and female and ranged from first-year to experienced teachers. Teachers were observed during regular weekly team…

Describes the successful program implemented at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis (Indiana) for increasing the participation of parents, students, and teachers in school governance. Identifies new roles performed by teachers, administrators, parents, and students and notes two dramatic results of the program's first year. (PGD)

Discusses management theories and reports on a study establishing that, if managers are exposed to modern human resources management theories through a series of training programs, they will adopt a participative leadership style, and that this style will be reflected in their attitudes and the perceptions of their subordinates. (Author/IRT)

Explores the assumption that teachers want to participate in schoolwide decision making by constructing a typology of teachers. Characterizes four types of teachers: empowered, disenfranchised, involved (those that do not want to participate, but do), and disengaged. Analysis of teachers' differences and similarities on demographic and attitudinal…