Four recent journal articles and one meeting paper on teacher involvement in curriculum development are summarized in this research bulletin. Contents include "Motivating Teacher Involvement in Professional Growth Activities," by Ruth Wright; "Teacher Participation in Curriculum Development: What Status Does It Have?" by Jean Young; "The Locus of…

Recently, eight reports have been released that deal with restructuring education in North Carolina. These reports were issued by the State Department of Public Instruction, the Task Force on Excellence in Education, the Middle Grades Task Force, the Tar Heel Association of Principals/Assistant Principals, the Governor's Commission on Workforce…

This paper discusses how strengthening connections between the school and its community can help to improve a school's problem solving capacity. The paper is based on data collected by the Documentation and Technical Assistance Project of the Center for New Schools (Chicago, Illinois), from observation of nine school sites which were involved in…

Legal and operational aspects of citizen participation in federal, state, and local governments are examined and recommendations are made. Following an introduction to the study, chapter 2 reviews the role of citizen participation in democratic theory and examines how participation developed within the general society and the governmental system.…

A 25-item questionnaire on special education decision making was completed by 70 elementary and secondary teachers to examine attitudes about current and preferred participation in planning, programming, and placement processes. Questionnaires touched upon teachers' personal information, class information, the special education referral process,…

The process of selecting college presidents is discussed. It is suggested that the selection is affected by the conflict between privacy and publicity, a balance that differs among different kinds of institutions: a relatively closed search because of religious affiliation or dogma for a private college versus the requirements established for…

This document presents a set of ten steps that can be used by a wide range of concerned people to mobilize a community to solve problems connected with the growing population of underachieving minority youth. Step I, "The Initiation," outlines how to develop a coalition to assure a strong foundation for mobilization efforts. Step II,…

Participative approaches to management are discussed, noting how each major participative management approach works, its particular strengths, costs, and savings. Identified as particularly promising is "high-involvement management" which involves employees both financially and psychologically. Guidelines for implementation are provided. A…

This information packet contains journal articles, book chapters, conference papers, and ERIC clearinghouse publications on small schools management strategies for superintendents and principals. Topics cover (1) elements of formal team management; (2) role of the administrator in creating the environment necessary for effective schools; (3)…

With the passage of legislation providing financial rewards for merit schools, the Dade County Public Schools and the United Teachers of Dade negotiated a program, now known as the Quality Instruction Incentives Plan (QIIP), designed to recognize significant improvements in student physical and academic achievement. The success of QIIP initiated a…

A study examined organizational culture change to determine the effectiveness of a communication based intervention program to increase productivity and motivation. The cultural change was measured through a triangulation approach combining questionnaires, interview data and direct observation. Pre- and post-intervention data were obtained in the…

In April 1989, a group of 30 educators from across New York State met for 3 days' intense discussion of impediments to shared decision making in schools. The seminar format modeled the communication and group dynamics considered an essential part of the shared decision-making process. The facilitator's role quickly changed from directive to…

A description is given of the Regional Partnership Program, a field-responsive, center-specific model established at the University of Northern Iowa, designed to oversee clinical field experiences for student teachers. The model involves six regional districts specifically located across the state which serve as the administrative units for the…

This paper describes a professional development effort designed to revitalize, remotivate and reactivate an experienced staff of teachers. This program creates an organizational culture in which each individual is perceived as a learner and a leader. The program is designed to meet the needs of the teaching staff at any place in their career cycle…

Faculty participation in college or university decision making is accepted as intrinsically good and as having positive effects on institutional functioning, but it is reflected in varying degrees in actual practice. The rationale for faculty participation is related to increased employee satisfaction and performance; faculty also tend to afford…