Explains Total Quality Management (TQM), a participative management style, and examines its relationship to Instructional Systems Development (ISD) as it is used for curriculum development. Application of TQM principles to the ISD processes of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation is suggested. (eight references) (LRW)

Describes the author's 10 years of experiences with the Student Exam Review Committee (SERC) that he formulated in response to intrinsic difficulties with examinations generated for large sections of college science courses. Discusses the selection of committee members, preexam input by the whole class, the committee's exam review process, and…

A review of the literature on university faculty research productivity found a consistent set of 12 characteristics common in research-conducive environments. Findings included (1) the leader has a disproportionate impact through his influence on all the other characteristics, and (2) participative governance is important in promotion of research…

Schools must provide teachers with access to technology if they are to use it often and well. The article discusses integrated learning systems, noting teachers must be included in technology adoption and staff development processes. It recommends teachers have plenty of time to learn the systems at their own pace. (SM)

A union lawyer contends that, for school-based management to be implemented, teachers must want greater control over school operation, and management must be willing to share its power. A management representative states that the biggest obstacle to school-based management has been a reluctance of some unions to agree to deviate from a master…

One university's use of faculty input into the process of distributing salary dollars specifically designated as "market adjustment monies" is reported. Results indicate that, the more opportunity faculty had to be involved in the salary adjustment process, the greater their satisfaction with its outcomes. (Author/MSE)

Three groups of sixth, eighth, and tenth graders took pre- and posttests on a Piagetian problem and a problem that evoked a misconception. Two intervention groups engaged in group transactions intended to create inter- and intrapersonal conflicts or took a multiple-choice test. Results indicated that treatment groups progressed on the Piagetian…

This article describes effects of four reform efforts on the role of the gifted and talented specialist in Oregon including Oregon's Educational Act for the 21st Century, adoption of both site-based decision-making models and integrative education models, and Oregon's Talented and Gifted Mandate. The emerging collaborative consultant role is…

A survey on the role of academic library committees showed that not all libraries use committees in significant roles; committees do not guarantee librarians a significant voice; librarians were positive about policy-related committees and negative about fact-finding and information-gathering committees; and smaller libraries used committees more…

Presents a simulation used in a political science course on U.S. foreign policy in which college students role play National Security Council members and government officials during a hijacking incident. Analyzes four groups' responses to the exercise. Suggests the simulation involves students in crisis decision making, developing better…

Provides a sequentially integrated approach to educational policy development. By incorporating analyses of educational decision-making basics, accepted site-based management practices, sound educational research, assessment of policy values, and a disciplined decision-making process, campus management teams can provide the effective, proactive…

A Colorado school district has adopted Total Quality Management (TQM) to improve quality and reduce costs. The basic components that drive continuous improvement in TQM are focusing on responding to customer needs, basing decisions on data, and allowing everyone to participate in the process. (MLF)

Reports current ideas from the general organizational productivity literature to provide a broader context for restructuring schools. The article discusses work culture patterns (involving schoolwide planning, professional development, program development, and school assessment) and describes how to manage productive schools, presenting…

Views the recent efforts at school restructuring and educational reform as promoting mechanistic education and measurement-driven instruction. Contends that teacher autonomy actually has been reduced because student assessment is now the responsibility of outside experts. Calls for a restructuring process that returns collaborative decision making…

Kentucky's 1990 Education Reform Act instituted new governance structure creating school-based councils composed of parent and teacher representatives who participate with principals in decisions involving eight major areas. School councils' role has remained ambiguous in personnel matters. Model presented here enhances principal's decision-making…