The Multiple Menu Model is a practical set of planning guides that teachers can use to design indepth curriculum units. This model differs from traditional approaches by balancing content and process, involving students as inquirers, and exploring knowledge's structure and interconnectedness. Components include menus for knowledge, instructional…

Any plan to create a communications/governance structure to empower stakeholders must address several questions: rationale, potential advantages and disadvantages, problems to be considered, format, committee structure and responsibilities, and evaluation techniques. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Although the process of participative, school-based budgeting might seem tedious and time-consuming, it can truly empower teachers and administrators. One cannot set instructional and budgetary priorities without knowing costs. A costing formula to help facilitate the budgeting process is presented. Includes 18 references. (MLH)

Institutionally empowered principals provide teachers with decision-making possibilities and use this empowerment to benefit the exchange between teacher and principal. Cultural empowerment requires even more effort. Teachers and principals must work together on the school's institutional and cultural climate by using dialogue and critique.…

The effective leadership literature fails to present a clear understanding of the principal's relationship to the curriculum. Principals must understand the enacted curriculum process, not just the official curriculum, and work with teachers to negotiate curriculum meaning. Empowerment involves trust, open dialogue, a collaborative support system,…

Although parents are eager to play all roles at school from tutor to decision maker, they are hindered by lack of support from educators. Superintendents, school boards, principals, and teachers must rethink the definition of power and control. Real power means that all stakeholders, including parents, make decisions together to meet students'…

Using technology can empower students, but most U.S. schools fall short of this goal. The power of technology as related to other school subjects and problem solving is well documented in projects promoting integration of technology education with mathematics and science. National Science Education Standards are summarized. (26 references) (MLH)

Homeroom "power" (the capability to affect students' feelings, attitudes, or behaviors) varies by meeting frequency and length, amount of student turnover, faculty members' length of assignment with one group of students, and number of allotted tasks. Homerooms can be revived to promote a communitarian spirit and serve students' need for…

The necessary conditions for successful shared decision making include school board and administrative affirmation, tolerance for diversity, teacher and administrator training, and collegial support. Involving teachers in decision making requires four implementation phases: readiness, experimentation, refinement through trial and error, and…

Principals' major challenge is to manage a productive work culture creating more ideal conditions for learning. This article reviews some common cultural dimension themes found in current best sellers on management, including symbol systems, group sharing and networking, reward and recognition systems, and empowerment and entrepreneurial…

Would-be change agents must commit to a lifelong process of self-examination that allows them to distinguish between "self-selected" or "other-imposed" changes. Certain steps are helpful: identifying and speaking vision; empowering self and others; knowing one's values; recognizing personal and environmental enhancers and barriers to change; and…

Talk in U.S. classrooms often reveals student ignorance, but it also involves interpersonal exchange. British students' spoken opinions may be undervalued, but they are better writers and interact more often with teachers. American students may not value writing as necessary. Listening to students' voices may help bridge cultural limitations. (MLH)

Effective professional development is a faculty-directed process that encourages modification of behaviors based on critical self-reflection and evaluation of one's assumptions and beliefs about targeted development areas (such as teaching, curriculum, or school environment). This article presents a comprehensive faculty-development model that…

This article reviews pertinent factors, such as the need to encourage a positive home environment, transform peer group influences, establish goals early in life, foster racial pride and awareness, use African-American culture to foster achievement, encourage a sense of self-control, initiate and expand mentor programs, and cultivate academic…

Staff ownership can be achieved only in a climate where synergism is understood and promoted. The principal must truly believe that the cooperative action of staff members working together is greater than the sum of their efforts taken independently and in isolation. Intimidating principal-teacher relationships must be eliminated. (eight…