Conceptual problems in the school-effectiveness literature are examined in this paper, with a focus on the development of two models for school effectiveness. Four necessary components of an effective-schools model include the nature and extent of the educational goals, techniques for recognition, methods for measuring school effectiveness, and…

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the perceptions of educational stakeholders in two regions of the Victorian Ministry of Education toward effective-schools issues. Data were obtained from a survey mailed to a total of 1,060 principals, school councillors, teachers, parents, and students in 100 schools--50 schools each from the…

In recent years there have been substantial changes in the way in which education is structured, financed, and managed in Australia. The move towards more self-management in schools, is now operating in the Australian school systems. Similar changes have been occurring in other countries, spurred on, by the governments' desire to save money. In…

The new government of the state of Victoria (Australia) announced its "Schools of the Future" program in 1993. The emphasis on the role of the community in education and self-management by schools seemed promising for the quality of education in the state, but after 3 years of implementation, the reality does not match the rhetoric of…

In all states of Australia, the move toward decentralization of education seems to have gained momentum. This is particularly true in Victoria, where the government's "Schools of the Future" program declared the importance of local community control of schools. Recent research, however, indicates that after 3 years, the reality of this…

In recent years there has been a substantial change in the way education is structured, financed, and managed in Australia. The move toward more self-management is now a feature of all Australian systems. In the state of Victoria, current decentralization has been a way to generate improved student outcomes, of a way to reduce the amount of…

The international trend toward the devolution of many decisions and responsibilities for managing schools to the schools themselves is a powerful influence changing the understanding of educational leadership. This trend is also apparent in Australia, where there has been substantial change in the way schools are structured, financed, and managed.…