Many school districts and schools find that they have an incomplete understanding of site-based management (SBM). This guidebook provides a systemwide approach to site-based management, using SBM as a strategy for school improvement and increased student success rather than for managing the status quo. It identifies nine essential perspectives and skills required to support SBM; defines the new roles and responsibilities of central-office personnel, principals, and site teams; recommends a specific "how-to" approach of 25 steps to implement SBM; and provides worksheets and guidelines to apply to different settings. Fifty worksheets, 16 tables, and 8 figures are included. (LMI)