Reactions to college and university retrenchment (a significant decline in financial resources that results in a reduction in permanent staff and/or elimination of existing programs) and political influences are considered. Responses to retrenchment may include the following: protective reactions by individual faculty members and reduced…

Study of three urban high schools revealed the following: (1) themes dominating principals' attitudes toward teacher involvement in decision making; (2) the influence of teachers on decision making; and (3) the paradox in principals' relations with faculty. Implications for faculty relations and school improvement are discussed. (BJV)

Argues for a reexamination of goals and methods of traditional parent involvement which has revolved around the welfare of children rather than emphasizing the benefits for parents themselves. Calls for a reconceptualization of parent involvement based on: (1) being sensitive to family needs, (2) offering real support for families, and (3)…

The image of school as a knowledge work organization provides guidance for improvement efforts which use suggestions from new management literature. A systemic reform should be based on the following: (1) professionalization of teaching; (2) integration of theory, research, and practice; and (3) transformational leadership. (Author/PS)

Since changing political, economic, and social forces determine the success of educationally innovative policies, there are limitations to the idea that formal education is a field built upon scientific and technical knowledge with teachers as its expert professionals. Various strategies for improving the autonomy and control of classroom…

Discusses management by objectives (MBO) as a sound organizational process that has great potential as an administrative tool in education systems. Provides definitions, stresses the participative nature of the process, cites successful examples of MBO in schools, and describes six conditions for the successful implementation of MBO. (JHZ)

The benefits of an institution's planning ahead for possible financial exigencies are examined and the procedures on several campuses are outlined in the context of the American Association of University Professors' guidelines on faculty involvement in policy formation. (MSE)

Case studies of school-based curriculum development (SBCD) were analyzed. The process of SBCD, including planning, implementation, evaluation, and teacher professionalism, is discussed. So that future researchers can use the historian's method on a good range of cases dealing with SBCE, a national case study archive is needed. (RM)

A detailed analysis of the structure, use, and effectiveness of the quality circles concept includes a school district case study and offers advice to school systems in labor relations trouble. The appendixes include a bibliography, two models, a resource guide, and a school district decision-making accountability chart. (MLF)

Situational leadership theory suggests that to reach maximum leadership effectiveness, the leader must adapt his/her behavior to different situations. For athletic coaches, this means that the amount of direction provided for students should increase or decrease according to the students' maturity levels. Applications of the theory are discussed.…

This issue of CPRE Policy Briefs looks at findings from the Consortium for Policy Research in Education's (CPRE) study of how central office and school staff in three urban districts made decisions about instructional improvement strategies, and how much weight they gave to evidence. The three districts, in three different states, had enrollments…

Create a school environment that ensures improvement ideas are more likely to succeed by using the guidelines and strategies from this book. After the authors present the foundational principles of group decision-making in a collaborative school, they explain the functions that are key to a dynamic school that embraces change and improvement: (1)…

Grounded in cutting-edge theory and research, this book presents innovative, classroom-based strategies for promoting the academic competence and mental health of students at risk. Easy-to-implement procedures are described that enlist the involvement of school practitioners, teachers, and students in creating nurturing, success-oriented classroom…

This monograph presents the results of a survey of nearly 3,800 faculty and provosts nationwide in over 750 higher education institutions that addressed the ways faculty participate in governance, the degree and effectiveness of that participation, and faculty attitudes toward it. The report first describes the survey sample and response rate.…

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between teachers' participative decision-making and school effectiveness in special schools. After the review of literature, a questionnaire was developed in this study to survey 350 special school teachers. The statistical methods used were T-Test, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation,…