Nine evaluations of projects of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are described. Most are formative in nature, designed to improve the programs targeted and to increase stakeholder participation. Almost all were conducted in Africa. The descriptions of research methodology have many implications for educational evaluation. (SLD)

Uses data from four cities (Chicago, Fort Worth, New York, and Rochester) to explore schools' budgetary and personnel discretion under school-based budgeting; how resource-allocation decisions are made; and factors influencing expenditure decisions. A school-based-budgeting process may increase stakeholder involvement and satisfaction without…

In 1997, the National PTA developed and adopted National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs to help schools, communities, and parenting groups implement effective parent involvement. Six standards are essential for optimum results (communicating, parenting, student learning, volunteering, school decision making and advocacy, and…

By successfully creating links with the larger community, one San Diego high school principal discovered the keys to building a true learning community. Community building requires a shared, research-based vision; specific educational goals; a meaningfully aligned curriculum; constituent involvement; careful monitoring; ongoing professional…

Examines whether principals utilized flexible influence strategies under changing circumstances, based on perceptions of 450 Israeli elementary teachers. Principals acted mainly through an informal, less directive orientation of influence both in ordinary times and in times of change. Principals' leaned toward participatory influence approaches.…

Describes restructuring of an academic department at Radford University; uses a dialogue between the department chair and the vice president of academic affairs to present the process's contrasting perspectives. Explores how faculty and administrators can treat budgetary challenges as opportunities to renew institutional missions, collaborate in…

Although schools are increasingly adopting site-based management (SBM), little uniformity exists among districts. SBM is suffering from growing pains and "shop-floor realities." Principals and teachers are managing schools through trial-and-error. Many principals are paranoid about their changing roles, and teachers are struggling with budgeting…

The goals of any aspect of collective bargaining are to arrive at a fair and equitable agreement, and to use a continuing consensus process as the best means of arriving at agreement. Describes the features of consensus bargaining and lists some simple dos and don'ts. (MLF)

Site-based management tries to transform schools into communities where the appropriate people participate constructively in major decisions affecting them. Effective site councils have a well-designed community structure, enabling leadership, student and adult learning focus, and a schoolwide perspective. Districts should provide long-term…

Although those charged with developing learning standards for Maine students have tried to be inclusive, there are some likely challenges ahead. Planners need to include the views of less educated, less successful, or very conservative persons; reach consensus on defining the basics; resolve equity versus excellence issues; and incorporate…

With input from administrators, teachers, students, parents, and other parish members, a Catholic elementary school developed a comprehensive discipline program around the themes of respect, spirituality, and responsibility. The program was evaluated over one year. Surveys indicated that parents, teachers, and students had positive perceptions of…

Discusses a British primary headteacher's attempts to introduce collaborative decision making by establishing regular formal meetings, both as a whole staff and within age-related teams. Describes and interprets the varied, complex patterns of staff response. Teachers are more responsive to collegial leadership styles when they perceive that the…

Considers discussion-based parents' forums at two British secondary schools. Each school has attracted an elite group of white, middle-class professional women with limited decision-making power that remains unconnected to the wider parent body. It is difficult for controversial parental issues to be heard. (Contains 39 references.) (MLH)

Describes how undergraduate students (N=38), participating in a residential pilot community standards program, grappled with conflicting constructs of power and authority, and learned how to distribute power and authority in new ways. Proposes two interrelated conditions for promoting shared authority among students and student affairs…

Illustrates the way case stories can be used as a professional development tool for promoting collaborative leadership and creating pluralistic leaders in higher education--leaders who respond to and embrace the diversity within the community, staff, faculty, and administration. (EV)