Until recently, charter schools have served a small percentage of public school students in any given community, but that is changing. Recent data indicate that the market share of public school students enrolled in charter schools is climbing. The growth of the charter school movement behooves us to consider how such a change in the educational…

The transformation of higher education systems under the pressure of new needs required by the "society of knowledge" in France and Italy has had a deep effect on the relationship between state and university, and therefore a direct impact on university governance. This article sums up the main results of a research carried out on…

This article is a retrospective analysis of a commentary we published in "The Journal of Negro Education" 25 years ago in which we discussed the interrelationships between and among the interpersonal, institutional, community, and African American achievement variables before and after the historic 1954 "Brown" decision. We discuss in this piece…

This booklet presents findings of a study that gathered information about charter schools. Representatives of more than 170 public charter schools were surveyed by mail, telephone or at national and regional meetings. Approximately 120 surveys were returned by representatives of 110 charter public schools in seven states--California, Colorado,…

This working paper describes the sequential processes of education from primary to higher education in Mexico and the United States. It analyzes the fragmented nature of the educational systems common to both countries and outlines possible solutions for integrating the different systems. It also includes brief overviews and examples of national,…

Questions that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation of financial delegation to the schools are presented in this paper. The features necessary to successfully introduce increased financial delegation to the schools are described. Key questions are presented to help readers evaluate their own plans. The questions involve the…

Since the 1960s, schools have relied on federal and state programs to provide the extra resources and services needed to help certain categories of disadvantaged students catch up with their classmates. While many credit these categorical programs with expanding educational opportunities, increasing numbers question the effectiveness of this ad…

In recent years, a clear trend toward the decentralization of education has emerged in both developing and more developed countries. This paper examines issues in decentralization and identifies common factors for the transfer of power within the educational system. The paper identifies advantages and disadvantages of decentralization, identifies…

The Chicago Public Schools have experienced major reforms since the late 1980s. This has resulted in increased power to local school communities and the creation of local school councils (LSCs) that employ its principals. This paper presents findings of a study that examined principals' perceptions of their changing roles under Chicago's school…

California's charter-school legislation took effect January 1, 1993, and authorized the creation of up to 100 charter schools. By the end of the year, 44 charter schools were either operating or being planned. This document offers an initial look at California's charter schools. A total of 34 schools responded to a survey of the state's 44 charter…

This pamphlet summarizes the recommendations of a task force of educational administrators who have experience in school-based management, a process of decentralization of authority based on the beliefs that those most closely affected by decisions ought to play a significant role in making those decisions, and that educational reform efforts will…

The higher education system in Israel is discussed, noting that tertiary education in that country makes a clear distinction between higher (university and academic) education and postsecondary education that is largely vocational. The Planning and Grants Committee (PGC) of the Council for Higher Education is responsible for the budgets of…

In recent years the academic community has become keenly aware and seriously concerned by substantial increases in government legislation and regulations that infringe on the independent operation of institutions of higher education. Examples of government influence include civil rights legislation and compliance, which require collection of data…

Self-Renewal is a systematic process now being used by many New York City High Schools to solve problems, to improve their planning of programs and policies, and to manage change. Renewal places special emphasis on participative planning and the use of Organizational Development techniques. The concept applies principles of the behavioral sciences…

Pressures facing higher education institutions regarding accountability and the implications of their responses for accreditation agencies and state governments are discussed. Much of the response of institutions to current or anticipated declines in enrollments or financial resources is defensive and/or negative. Some institutions plan against…