Studied two schools that adopted the Authentic Teaching, Learning, and Assessment for All Students (ATLAS) school-reform design, focusing on the link between school management and instructional change. These case studies support the usefulness of the ATLAS model and show that instruction and management must work together for successful reform.…

Develops a profile of preferred conflict-management behaviors and strategies of a sample of principals in a large urban school district with site-based managed schools. Results reflect principals' preference for solution-oriented conflict strategies, where differences are resolved through collaborative and integrative problem solving. (Contains 85…

Examines the school-development-planning process at Southlands Community College in London, England. The process has proved useful but needs to be reevaluated. Advocates use of "strategic intent" and "futures thinking" to enhance the capacity of self-managing schools to survive in an increasingly turbulent environment. Southlands is meeting this…

Reviews 77 empirical and case studies of school-based management (SBM) implementations reported between 1985 and 1995 to determine typical obstacles and promising ameliorative strategies. There is no firm evidence of SBM's effects on students. Administrative-control SBM would probably produce the least amount of school change. Community-control…

Explores legislative conditions that promote charter-school autonomy, applying a conceptual framework of autonomy to assess variations among state charter-school policies. Results suggest that state policies offer different self-governance levels and thereby influence charter schools' innovative ability and performance potential. Variations are…

With the advent of high speed and sophisticated computer programs, all budgetary systems can be combined in one fiscal management information system. Defines and provides examples for the four budgeting systems: (1) function/object; (2) planning, programming, budgeting system; (3) zero-based budgeting; and (4) site-based budgeting. (MLF)

When embarking on school/community-based management, nine Hawaii elementary schools trained their staff in facilitative leadership and received technical assistance from district offices. Schools can involve more parents by reaching a shared understanding about parental involvement, developing appropriate involvement strategies, providing parents…

Introduces the Willard Model School in Norfolk, Virginia. Describes the process of creating a new staff and the teaching philosophy of the staff members. Provides information on the school's Parent Resource Center and Male Mentor Program. Introduces the concept of a basic school. (MOK)

Summarizes a study exploring decision-making quality among 45 participants, who were administered the Decision Making Inventory either as groups or individuals. There were few differences between individual and collaborative group decision-making formats. Individual skills were more effective regarding curriculum and discipline. There were no…

Describes the Hong Kong Education Department's School Management Initiatives (SMI) scheme, a decentralizing reform scheme based on lessons from the business and industrial sectors. Shows that the SMI has been successful at the school level but not at the system level. Summarizes suggestions for improving the reform scheme. (DSK)

Shortages of teachers with specialized skills, coupled with increased difficulty accommodating students with problem behaviors in general education classrooms, create pressures for performance and accountability in schools. Describes improvements in classroom ecology after implementation of a school-wide discipline model. These outcomes were…

Chronicles perceived dilemmas of 20 Australian principals whose work lives were preoccupied with school restructuring. Findings suggest two main types of dilemmas: general, personal/professional "states of mind" and specific, practical organizational dilemmas. Research is needed on devising management solutions and improving leadership…

Details steps for implementing a site-based scheduling model for middle schools. Six steps are: forming the scheduling committee, conducting a needs assessment, setting and prioritizing goals, examining other working schedules, developing the master schedule, and adjusting the master schedule. (KB)

School-based management (SBM) in Thailand began in 1997 in the course of a reform aimed at overcoming a profound crisis in the education system. The present contribution reports on the introduction and institutionalisation of decentralisation and SBM with community participation in Thailand. The data reported here are based on an empirical survey…

This article shares findings from an exploratory case study about an advanced school leadership development program designed specifically for practicing principals and administrator-trained teachers. The program was designed to help a high-need rural district transform its principalship from school management into learner-center leadership while…