Self-Renewal is a systematic process now being used by many New York City High Schools to solve problems, to improve their planning of programs and policies, and to manage change. Renewal places special emphasis on participative planning and the use of Organizational Development techniques. The concept applies principles of the behavioral sciences to make an organization more effective by systematically involving people throughout the organization in order to improve the quality of decision making. Renewal is applicable in both the public and the private sectors, although the particular process used in New York schools has been adapted to characteristics of the non-business community. Renewal assumes that different schools have different needs, and involves those most affected by the individual school's problems. Unlike traditional planning, which is usually directed by the principal and other administrators, planning in Renewal broadens the base of participation. These factors help to account for Renewal's viability where other problem solving efforts have failed. An additional benefit of Renewal is that it can be utilized in the absence of additional funds for new policies, through the reallocation of priorities and existing funds. (Author/GC)