Whereas participative management and quality circles have foundered in American schools, teacher and principal empowerment, a more focused process, has great potential for facilitating significant, long-lasting school improvement. For empowerment to succeed, educators must be trained to take risks and be exposed to challenging conditions. (MLH)

Focuses on a model of school-based management (SBM) and on generalities that can be drawn from recent research on SBM in several southern states. A case study of SBM in Kentucky, where the Kentucky Education Reform Act mandated SBM, illustrates issues in its implementation. (SLD)

As school-based decision making continues to be a popular governance option throughout the country, the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Kentucky in "Bushee," upholding the power and autonomy of school councils in relation to school boards, may act as a bellwether to other locations. (119 footnotes) (MLF)

A Group Support System (GSS) is a network of microcomputers with software for the support of meetings and other group work. Using a GSS, meeting participants are able to brainstorm by submitting comments over the network, ranking and rating items in a list, and performing collaborative work. GSS provides anonymity, parallel communication, and…

This paper outlines key issues in developing whole school policies on special educational needs of English students, including educational quality; school accountability; school capability to provide for pupils with special needs; policy audit, implementation, and review; and the role of the special education needs coordinator in monitoring…

Participatory decision making can meld individual teacher goals into shared organizational goals that emphasize benefits for students. The article examines site-based management, organizational prerequisites, central office responsibilities, organizational culture, appropriate use of participation, decision-making strategies, and five obstacles to…

This study examined the types of provisions for special needs students, measurement of needs, levels of funding, and funding formulae used by 65 British local education authorities under the Local Management of Schools approach. The study found much diversity among local education authorities in the measurement of needs and in funding levels. (JDD)

Discussion of site-based management and school reform addresses the current focus on administrative change in educational reform, obstacles to change in schools, how site-based management works, and the school librarian's role. Several components that are needed to implement active site-based management programs are presented in a sidebar. (four…

An Indiana school board achieves success in site-based management by fair consideration of decisions made by school planning teams. Advises boards contemplating school-based management to (1) be a team player; (2) develop trust; (3) not bend to interest groups; (4) have patience; (5) set criteria for proposals; and (6) grant waivers to district…

Explores how administrators and teachers in 16 schools used facilitative power to develop site-tailored restructuring programs as part of a statewide school improvement effort. Legislatively mandated teacher leadership of site activities generated changes in school authority and accountability structures. Both principals and teachers exercised…

Summarizes findings from a 15-month study of 6 schools and principals changing to a decentralized school governance model. Highlights benefits such as administrator role redefinition, autonomy's effects on improving school culture and contributing to school reform success, increased commitment to decisions, increased staff cohesion and trust, and…

Provides a framework that recognizes the multifaceted nature of school restructuring and identifies four restructuring emphases: student experiences; teachers' professional life; leadership, management, and governance; and coordination of community resources. Describes six critical outcomes (authentic student achievement, equity, empowerment,…

If school-based management means shift in decision-making authority, all school operations and organizational roles will be affected. Progress may be impeded by participants' traditional mind sets about power, winning and losing, problem solving, model programs, and everyday reality. These and other implementation problems may be resolved using…

Second-wave reforms that will affect vocational education are (1) national goals, testing, and accountability; (2) school choice; (3) teacher education and certification; and (4) site/school-based management. Vocational education must go beyond adaptation to changes and consider the broader context of general educational reform. (SK)

Among the current crop of business leadership manuals, the six reviewed are applicable for school leaders as well. Themes of effective employee management and motivation, personal responsibility, and having the ability to initiate and implement constructive change are among the common threads running through the books. Information on ordering the…