Our cultural biases are inclined toward managerial authority and salvational leadership images. Principals should be abolished. No educator should be permanently removed from teaching children in a classroom. Administrative tasks should be assumed on a rotating basis; after serving in an administrative capacity, educators should return to the…

Examines the relationship between efficacy and productivity and stakeholders' attitudes about the school-based council's usefulness as a decision-making body. A survey of participating and nonparticipating staff and parents indicates that school councils' efficacy and productivity are related to noninstructional, but not student-achievement…

Evaluation of the role of faculty in higher education strategic planning reports on perspectives of seven administrators and faculty involved in planning, as well as the research literature. Notes that while faculty participation is widely favored, problems are often experienced. Identifies factors influencing the success of faculty participation,…

An active parent describes how over 400 parent volunteers in the Carpentersville (Illinois) school district were trained to participate in their children's education through shared decision making. Each school practices a governance model focusing on trust building, collaboration, shared vision, and continuous improvement. Forging authentic…

To emphasize the belief that parents are a child's first teachers, the National Parent Teacher Association has developed new guidelines that support family involvement in schools. To improve family involvement, educators should create an action team, examine current practice, develop an improvement plan, develop a written family/parent involvement…

Asserts that the distinctive moral traditions of faith-based colleges and universities can help them resist corporate demands on academia, but only if their faculties are allowed to question institutional policies. Describes five main sources of governance problems in religiously affiliated schools. (EV)

Asserts that to prevent incursions on academic freedom, faculty members must make a strong commitment of time and expertise to institutional governance, and they must promote regulations and behavior that support academic freedom. Describes how the administration, faculty, and board of Calvin College, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church,…

Conducted a study of the discourse and inquiry taking place in an Australian school that had implemented the structural features of school-based management and shared decision making. Findings suggest that second-order changes in structures and relationships do not necessarily result in second-order changes in teaching and learning. (SLD)

Offers insights and themes observed in six restructuring schools studied in 1991-92. Results show that principals' importance varies, sharing of power is fragile, leadership and power are often dispersed, changes in decision-making structures sometimes improve instruction, and power redistribution and shared purpose can foster either increased…

Describes a student-participatory death education course offered at a small private liberal arts university. As active participants, students collaborated in the design of course content and requirements that reflected their interests and concerns. Overall, students responded positively to their involvement in the learning process. Outlines course…

Describes the development and structure of Soka University of America, located near Laguna Beach, California. Planners' vision for the university is a humanistic, democratic, non-hierarchical institution infused with Buddhist values. Unusual elements include no tenure or advancement in rank and no separate administrative building. (EV)

Describes the reaction of Northeastern University when it was surprised by a major decrease in enrollment. Discusses the change process, including the involvement of the board, faculty, staff, and students. Describes major improvements that evolved from the crisis and how the involvement of all university segments made a difference as the…

James MacGregor Burns's conceptualization of transforming leadership stressed the moral and educative nature of the leader-follower relationship. However, critical examination of Burns's account uncovers philosophical and technical difficulties with some of his central claims. Transformative leadership may be structured more for domination than…

The trend toward teacher participation in policy making is the result of good practice and research over many years. Classic, bureaucratic approaches to making decisions are being replaced by collaborative efforts. There are rules to determine appropriate circumstances for encouraging teacher participation. Determining how and when to involve…

Introduces a theme issue on the politics of participation in educational reform that examines various reforms promoted in the name of participation and how they play out in practice. Discusses questions to ask of participatory reform: To what end participation? Who participates? What are the relevant spheres? What micro-level conditions are…