To determine if governance structures affected perceptions of teacher empowerment, 55 teachers completed the Teacher Perception Survey. Subjects were from two matched Missouri elementary schools with differing organizational structures and administrative philosophies. Unlike the traditional model, an Accelerated School model strongly influenced…

Administrators must research diverse scheduling alternatives and their effects and requirements. Successfully modifying school time boils down to a six-step recipe: believing in improvement-directed change, involving all key stakeholders, selecting the appropriate schedule, developing clear expectations, bridging the theory-practice gap, and…

According to a former principal, the best strategies for improving schools are to delegate authority, enlist faculty in critical decisions, impose questions instead of solutions, and create an environment where teachers can continually grow and learn together. Principals must be focused on the future, but grounded in reality. (MLH)

The Greendale (Wisconsin) School District uses sophisticated, two-way communication and marketing strategies to find out community concerns, gain a better understanding of all the groups in the district, create trust, and put constructive criticism to good use. "Relationship" marketing actively seeks out input from both supporters and…

A study of 18 exemplary Georgia principals found that major psychodynamic changes can result from developing a shared-leadership style. There were changes in motivation, role conflict, and use of power. Principals sometimes wondered if they were needed, but most reaped major rewards: satisfaction, pride of accomplishment, and good press. Contains…

A principal describes her experience under the changes implemented recently in England and Wales. She describes leadership challenges and some strategies that use micropolitics to effect positive outcomes. She successfully employed tension and confrontation as steps toward change and encouraged participation in decision making. (MLH)

The founder of an all-women canoe-tripping company describes the components that have made it successful: shared leadership, outdoor guides as facilitators, support of individual choices, a nonprescriptive agenda, conflict avoidance and resolution, balance between getting somewhere and experiencing the moment, focus on women's strengths, and a…

Defends student councils as effective vehicles for teaching democratic literacy. Presents guidelines for effective council activities as well as suggestions for integrating a student council into an already crowded school program. (NH)

In a school-based decision-making environment, a primary role of central office leadership is preparing school councils to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Challenges include reluctant participants, time constraints, the tendency to administer, and legal complexities. A Kentucky school district has developed a forum where…

In a learning environment, leadership style reflects a leader's deeply held educational beliefs, which are mirrored in the school's culture. Case studies illustrate how the leadership styles of three principals affect school ambience. Good leadership practice means acknowledging each person's differing gifts, strengths, and concerns, and utilizing…

Investigates teacher empowerment in high schools that had school councils over varying time periods. Participants taught in a state mandating an inclusive school governance process. A School Participant Empowerment Scale measured empowerment over six subscales: decision making, autonomy, self-efficacy, professional growth, status, and impact.…

Examines how children in a Milan (Italy) district involved themselves in urban planning when a new freeway was planned near their school. It describes the children's work with architects experienced in environmental education to research the issues, create maps and models of local streets, and present their findings to the community and the mayor.…

A review of research on innovative school reform for urban minority students is presented with a focus on school-based management (SBM). Through participation in SBM minority parents can improve the education and success levels of their children. Their involvement can be enhanced with the assistance of properly prepared principals. (MMU)

Reports on a method of curriculum design which allows student empowerment while simultaneously promoting essential literacy skills in a developmental-education course. States that students designed their own curriculum through the use of collaborative groups and peer decision making. Finds students continued to sharpen literacy skills throughout…

Presents relational and structural conditions necessary to successful collaboration between college faculty and administrators. Relational conditions include "refuse to play zero-sum games" and "the most important power in a college is the power to persuade." Structural conditions include "clarify the roles of players" and "prefer a matrix…