In this monograph, the authors attempt to illustrate some of the more important components of decentralization and participative management with examples, or working models. Many of these models, according to the authors, function to illustrate the concept, provide models for adaptation, and inform the readers about districts that can be contacted for additional information. The authors argue against considering decentralization and participative management as panaceas that will solve all the problems in a school or a district. However, they contend, these components can provide a structure that stimulates creative participation. The authors also consider decentralization and participative management to be tools that can be utilized to move the schools into the "seventies and the eighties"; tools that can be used to bridge the gap between teachers and management, between management and the board, and between the board and the people. In short, the writers feel that these are tools that can be used effectively to build accountability into education. (Author)