This paper explores the question of who should be involved in strategic decisions that affect a school, a cluster of schools, or an entire school district. It discusses the common problems that hamper effective participation: such as workgroups that are too large or too small; selecting the same roster of persons to serve as team members; choosing…

This paper presents information and strategies designed to enable teachers and counselors to understand, practice, and utilize the group process known as open classroom meetings. It considers the types of classroom meetings that can be utilized, such as social problem solving meetings, open-ended meetings, and educational diagnostic meetings. The…

This report describes principles of community organization that can contribute to sustainable community renewal. Community is composed of social networks which form the community infrastructure. Relationships among people with the same roles are passive; relationships that cross role boundaries are active. Communities that exhibit active…

Two results of minority pressure for community involvement in educational decision making are (1) administrative decentralization and community participation, and (2) administrative decentralization and community control. However, regarding "community control," controversy abounds over whether elected public officials and professional educators or…

Using Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" as a basis, the author offers an alternative to deficit model programing (catch-up classes for "deficient" students) and posits an approach to problem solving that depends on dialog and interaction. (WD)

When teachers strike, most people assume their grievance is money. But a recent survey of 18 Montana schools reveals that much teacher discontent stems from their lack of involvement in site-level decision making. A Faculty Senate Policy Committee is proposed to facilitate teacher participation in policy formulation. (SJL)

The "Essentials of Best Practice in Professional Development for Sustained Change Model" is based on recent research in professional development, adult learning theory, shared leadership, effective schools, and the change process. The model views increased student learning as the goal; schools as the unit of change; professional…

Lessons learned in the merger of two junior high schools, one predominantly black and one predominantly white, with a history of competition and distrust, illustrate the sense of community that can be developed with shared decision making and respect for cultural differences. Reducing ability grouping was vital in unifying the academic structures.…

The challenge of containing health-care costs continues despite a break from cost increases. Most experts would advise school employees to replace existing health plans with a triple-choice HMO plan using $10 copayments. Armed with quality data and a choice-based plan design, school business officials can improve their chances for long-term cost…

This article recounts the journey of a high school administrator to the concept of feminist administration. It offers a first definition of feminist administering through parallels with feminist pedagogy and makes some tentative suggestions about the application of the concept to the school restructuring movement. (IAH)

Uses the example of the takeover of the Chelsea (Massachusetts) public schools by Boston University to illustrate the problems of educational reform without the involvement of classroom teachers. Argues that no collaboration can be successful without the involvement of parents and teachers. (FMW)

School-site management alone cannot guarantee administrative decentralization or nonbureaucratic management of teachers. A collegial, professional work environment can only be created by adhering to a participatory managerial philosophy that respects teachers as professionals and decision-makers and considers the specific relationships arising…

The change process surrounding the introduction of an all-day kindergarten program in a small suburban school district is examined in this case study. Implications for adoption and implementation of early childhood programs in other school systems are discussed. (IAH)

Using problems associated with Spain's educational reform efforts as a point of departure, this article identifies and discusses a set of universal rules or principles that apply to the reform process. These principles relate to social context, pacing, resources, government and grassroots participation, and research. (IAH)

Presents a paradigm of community college governance that strengthens the well-being and self-esteem of faculty. The nine levels of the model focus on factors such as involving faculty in administration; providing opportunities for professional growth; and recognizing the primacy of the instructor in the classroom. (DMM)