A questionnaire survey of 1,506 teachers in 89 elementary and secondary schools in eastern Massachusetts examined teachers' reactions to declining enrollments and school district retrenchment policies. The hypotheses tested suggest that, in districts whose reduction-in-force (RIF) policies include performance evaluations as well as seniority as criteria for dismissal, teachers facing imminent dismissal will seek greater participation in school decision-making because such RIF policies would increase teachers' uncertainty. This will be especially true, the hypotheses propose, when teachers have less contact with supervisors or principals. The survey gathered data on district enrollment changes and RIF criteria and on teacher age, sex, educational background, contact with administrators, and preferences for participation in school decision-making. Examination of the survey results using analysis of variance revealed little support for the hypotheses. Districts with quite different RIF criteria and enrollment declines showed only small differences in teacher preferences for decision-making participation. However, further evidence is being gathered to trace longitudinal changes as enrollment declines deepen and RIFs increase. (RW)