De-departmentalizing the high school into smaller integrated quads would make possible the necessary frequent review and revision of the curriculum and facilitate change with greater ease. Inflexibility could give way to creativity and provide a humanistic environment to meet the needs of adolescents. (Author)

Constructed a longitudinal database to examine how basic science departments have been reorganized at U.S. medical schools. Found that there were fewer basic science departments in the traditional disciplines of anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, and physiology in 1999 than in 1980. But as biomedical science has developed in an…

Using complexity theory, examines standards-based accountability focused on improving school organization. Compares Chicago Public Schools' outcomes-based bureaucratic accountability approach with Baltimore City Schools' combined administrator-professional accountability. Concludes that the combined approach should result in more lasting change.…

Argues that complex educational change is relatively unmanageable. Draws on research on reorganization of schools to identify sources of ambiguity in the change process. Identifies characteristics of reorganization complexity and offers tentative practical themes for managing complex educational change. Offers an agenda for future research,…

Students can activate their minds in a school envisioned as firm (a disciplined production system featuring high production workers); family (a caring, supportive social network of concerned adults and respectful students); fair (a community celebrating participants' best work); and forum (a public meeting place of open dialogue and inquiry).…

Before diving into a change effort, principals should involve others in surveying the landscape, assessing the school's strengths, and identifying those responsible for past successes. Principals must then adopt an attitude of increased expectations; allow for comprehensive, meaningful planning; and commit to a continuous-improvement process. (MLH)

School-based management (SBM) has become a very popular movement over the past decade. The World Bank Education Team's SBM work program emerged out of a need to define the concept more clearly, review the evidence, support impact assessments in various countries, and provide some initial feedback to teams preparing education projects. During the…

Barriers to change in secondary schools discussed in this article include: an organizational framework appropriate to business, not education; the subtle effect upon teachers of being low in status vis a vis the larger society; and monies for education being a low priority among our state and national decision makers. (JH)

An experiment to make the transition from a traditional education to education for community advancement is described as to background, urban/rural orientation, and general characteristics. (Author/KM)

Since 1955, six major thrusts of the school reform movement have sought to give direction, substance, and meaning to education: Content revision, educational technology, equalized opportunity for children from poverty environments and from minority groups, individualized instruction, organizational flexibility, and teacher renewal. Organizational…

Conflict is analyzed as a function of the organizational conditions of school size, teaching specialization, and the centralization of authority. (Author)

There is great need for training school principals as managers. (Author/IRT)

Five basic components of the emerging educational system--forecasts and assessment, program planning, alternative environments, electronics and socialization, and differentiated faculty--summarize both current trends in educational practice and the implications for schools provided by analysts of the radically different society America is…