Examines participation of minority representatives on local school-change teams in Kentucky and their feelings about the experience. Their reasons for dropping out indicate that minority parents do not feel accepted by the decision-making group (often because of perceptions of racism and classism) and lack the confidence to participate fully in…

Construction in and around a school building can be disruptive. With planning, communication, and a willingness to be creative, a school can run smoothly and construction can also be used as a learning opportunity for students. (MLF)

Democracy is deeply rooted in Japanese history but not in a form that is readily recognizable to Western observers. A study of student decision making in an elementary classroom found that student attitudes about what children should decide were shaped by students' prior experience of decision making, and that their style of decision making…

Explores the benefits of teacher leadership as well as the barriers to and opportunities for making teacher leadership work in practice. Concludes that teacher leadership could have beneficial effects on school improvement, but that the right conditions need to be in place. (Contains 79 references.) (MLF)

A benefits-based management approach will enable outdoor adventure therapy programs for male adolescent offenders to be built around desired outcomes such as building connections to community, enhancing self-esteem, and establishing intergenerational relationships. Outdoor programs must maintain informal environments, involve participants in…

Examines educational improvement in Spanish schools, focusing on participation and leadership with the principalship as a point of reference. Describes how in Spain, in fact, there have been few advances in democratic participation and little development of educational leadership in the schools. (Contains 71 references.) (WFA)

Discusses the inherent conflict between decentralizing movements toward teacher empowerment and participative management and the centralization occasioned by increasing school bureaucratization and collective bargaining by teacher unions. Suggests the need for bold experiments in school labor relationships. Contains 24 references. (SV)

Identifies goals of character development for elementary school children. Offers four processes that promote positive social growth and moral maturity: (1) building self-esteem and a sense of community; (2) learning to cooperate and help others; (3) reflecting on moral choices; and (4) participating in decision making. Suggests how teachers have…

This article identifies and discusses schoolwide staff development which differs from the traditional model and is based on three principles: shared responsibility, teacher empowerment, and community growth. A model teacher-run faculty development program is described. The 10-component program operates at the McCallie School (TN). (IAH)

The best management system for today's highly competitive, technical world is a flat structure with a lot of worker--or teacher and student--involvement. The ability to learn and adjust to change has become another essential requirement for workers in the modern production system. (MLW)

Describes a study that (1) compared the amount of professional input into the decision-making process between board administered and municipally integrated public libraries, and (2) examined the relationships between levels of centralization (participation in decision making and hierarchy of authority), complexity (occupational specialties,…

Examines recent attempts to reform school organizational structures to give teachers an expanded role in decision making. Discusses the distinction between authority and influence and delineates decision domains that may be considered in efforts to increase teacher participation. (FMW)

Summarizes the historical background, planning, and implementation of a School-Based Management/Shared Decision Making (SBM/SDM) program in Dade County (Florida). Highlights interim evaluation findings and recommendations. (FMW)

Parallel issues in work and schools are cited and discussed. This article suggests that the organizational structure of schools contributes to lowered teacher morale and creativity; and concludes that school policymakers must learn the lessons of industry: Give employees a stake in the system by decentralizing decision making. (IAH)

Describes the development of the Lunch Lab program at the Mineola (New York) Middle Schools, part of a school improvement program incorporating teacher empowerment. A committee of seven teachers and two administrators researched, developed, and implemented the pilot project that provides a special time for seventh graders to receive extra help…