This paper addresses briefly the responsibilities which site-based decision-making (S-B D-M) imply and presents the many opportunities to innovate collaboratively as a way to achieve greater professionalism. Texas' Senate Bill 1 (199) and House Bill 2885 (1991) set into motion two important aspects of educational reform, the decentralization of…

This article concurs with a critique in the OECD Report that Canadian education is organized along industrial lines and that this organization is for the purpose of achieving academic goals. Major criticism is aimed at the "over academization" of the schools and the influence of this on society. (Author/SJL)

Traces the post-war development of comprehensive educational reorganization in Great Britain by examining central government policy and local education authority (LEA) practices. Emphasizes the role of LEAs as implementors of policy and discusses the limitations of central control. (Author/KC)

Examined in this paper are the ways in which an open plan junior high school influenced the school's response to desegregation and how, in turn, this response shaped the school's setting. (EB)

The author notes four potential limitations to the effective use of Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) by Canadian school systems: provincial legislation, educational policies, attitudes toward technology, and salary negotiations. He examines the possible consequences of introducing ZBB into a school system. (SJL)

Examines historical and current conceptions of teaching for understanding, highlighting three sources of dilemmas that get in the way of helping students make sense of the world they live in (teacher preparation, the social organization of schools, and the school system norms and regularities). (SM)

Maintains that many schools have changed to a form of block scheduling. Describes and discusses the impact of several models of block scheduling. Asserts that, when music educators understand the consequences of various scheduling options, they can be more credible participants in discussions of how best to schedule school time. (CFR)

School boards should focus on knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need to function in tomorrow's world, instead of determining what education programs the community wants and can afford. Results-oriented evaluation is a house of sand, because students come from varied backgrounds and most results are caused by the system originating them.…

Issues in vocationalization of the two-tier system of higher education in France are considered, including vocationally oriented professional courses; the impact of mass education; changing aims of university studies; and issues for the future, such as the balance between short-term and long-term needs. (DB)

Interviews with faculty at 10 European universities examined 2 issues in developing effective staffing structures: (1) possible barriers to vertical and horizontal mobility caused by a worsening environment; and (2) the possibility of value-dissonance for staff as a consequence of new requirements. Clear identification of responsibility for…

Defines informatics as both a pure and an applied science dealing with information technology and its uses and examines the organization of education from two different perspectives: how applications of informatics may impact on education, forcing it to change; and how the educational system may deal with problems to effectively integrate…

Discusses organizational transformation and planned second order change in education. Challenging the existing paradigm and enabling a transformation is an essential part of school reform which can only occur if administrators and teachers master the context within which they work and face challenges requiring more leadership than management. (SM)

Contends that school size is an increasingly important factor in discussions concerning school effectiveness. Clarifies the current usage of the term "small secondary school" so that research can be conducted. Concludes that curriculum reform requirements will have an impact on determining effectiveness of education in small secondary…

Charter schools may provide part of the answer to increased demand for restructuring and school accountability/autonomy. This handbook describes in detail the organization and operation of charter schools. Chapters define charter schools, describe their appeal and the approval process, present a model charter-school structure, discuss innovative…

Charter schools are public, nonsectarian schools that operate under a written contract from a local school board or other organization. This book describes the history of the charter-school movement and the patterns that current charter-school advocates may find themselves repeating; offers examples of existing charter schools, enabling…