Professional debate over curriculum reform has shifted focus from content to procedural and organization issues. Government intervention to "teacher-proof" curriculum materials has further undercut teacher and curriculum workers' professionalism. Conflicts and compromise arising from social movements and pressures have shaped curriculum…

Current dominant modes of teacher evaluation separate knowing and doing, foster one-way communication between evaluator and teacher, bolster hierarchies, encourage unwholesome competitive relations, and detach teachers and students from their cultural experiences. An educative model is proposed as a replacement, featuring a dialogical relationship…

Culls the opinions of reform thinkers, school executives, and teacher union officials to provide an inside look at what teacher empowerment means for the schools. A sidebar summarizes the 1986 Carnegie report's key recommendations and union-led reform initiatives. Another sidebar provides trust-building tips. (MLH)

Critiques demeaning attitudes toward adult literacy learners implicit in the practices of major literacy programs and examines underlying assumptions about the nature of literacy in light of recent studies. Argues that literacy professionals must confront political and institutional barriers to effective literacy education and offers an…

Examines the perceptions of 3,067 teachers of the effectiveness of successors to 73 prior principals. Effective successors inspired teacher confidence early. Results further indicate that teachers assess succession in terms of its effect on organizational factors that allow teachers to maintain predictability and control over their work. (SLD)

Discusses the current state of Canadian high schools. Examines the goal of competitiveness as a national policy and the debate over the purposes of education. Explores (1) a greater emphasis on basic subjects; (2) the use of performance indicators; (3) the demand for accountability; and (4) dropout rates. Argues that an economic agenda for…

Although teachers have little voice in textbook selection or standardized test content, they still retain most powerful influence on students' learning and can serve as curriculum leaders. Past approachers have defined curriculum development as authoritarian administrative process and have regarded teachers as implementors. Teachers can prevail by…

Generally, amount of stress generated by difficult situations is inversely proportional to one's perceived control over them. Stressed-out principals are advised to work on their attitude, create new personal focus (a hobby or exercise program), initiate new professional focus, be good to themselves, rely on well-established support systems, and…

One criticism of school-based management is that teachers are being asked to make disjointed decisions rather than decisions tied together by a common vision of change. This article discusses SBM's influences in changing school culture and presents a model embodying teacher-leader cooperation to change school policies and practices and adopt a…

Examines how closely academic freedom and the First Amendment actually are related. Traces the development of academic freedom as a constitutional right from shortly before World War II to the present. Analyzes influences exerted by intramural speech, institutional or corporate academic freedom, and professional liability. (KEH)

Finds that teachers' professional efficacy is related to the environment in which they practice. Explains higher levels of efficacy in Catholic schools by organizational differences. Cites principal leadership and communal organization as essential to teacher satisfaction. Suggests fostering cooperative environments and reasonable teacher autonomy…

Scientific management and hierarchical accountability tend to destroy dialogue and issue ideas as orders to be obeyed. Instructional technology packages can actually enslave teachers. The emendation or feedback loop built into all instructional systems should allow educators to alter design in the context of practice and help technologists design…

The economic paradigm imposed upon education and the externally applied bureaucratic supervision upon teachers prompts discord and damages morale among teachers. The dedication shown by teachers of adventure education is explained by the fact that students value and benefit from adventure education, and it allows teachers to focus on broader…

In The Netherlands, waning confidence in government has resulted in educational policy favoring deregulation and increased autonomy for school boards and schools. Despite restructuring reforms, an intermediary administrative tier has developed that may be undermining school autonomy and weakening the central government's sense of responsibility.…

Describes recent changes in national legal agreements concerning appointment, promotion, and working conditions that have affected the work of academics in Swedish higher education. Uses the current structure of the higher education system and data on working conditions and institutional governance as a context for a discussion of academic…