Although teaching is regarded as "women's work," few calls for change in the multicultural and social justice literature focus attention on the teaching self as a socially constructed gendered identity. Given Black women's prominence in this literature as successful educators of students underserved in contemporary schools, the author…

This study investigates an assumption used to legitimate charter school legislation, namely that such schools will reduce regulatory constraint burdening schools and school personnel. Reformers and policymakers have argued that charter schools will increase teacher empowerment and enable teachers to better carry out their education functions.…

Teachers who frame the curriculum around purposeful playful activities that allow children to work at their own pace and allow children to make choices rather than be coerced into their work are indirectly committed to becoming researchers in their own classrooms. The art teacher-researcher is a participant observer of what goes on in the…

Workforce remodeling in England has been presented as a means to empower school staff through a restructuring process which has possibilities to dramatically shift the ways in which they operate. This initiative has also included a number of legislative requirements intended to help embed the more technocratic aspects of the remodeling process.…

If you are looking for a book that provides concrete advice for establishing group reflection, then "Talking Teaching" is the perfect choice. The work is the product of a 3-year grant-supported induction year program. College faculty from an associated group of colleges joined staff developers from a growing suburban district in creating an entire…

This paper describes ways that administrators can empower teachers and build strong, effective teams in a school. It opens by defining power and explains that traditional organizational hierarchical structures tend to motivate people to use power in self-protective ways. It claims that for empowerment to work, leaders must help people use their…

Describes discussions and changes currently taking place within the National Education Association concerning its relationship with the American Federation of Teachers and school improvement. Addresses the need to revitalize America's public schools from within by pursuing an aggressive agenda of excellence and reform and empowering teachers as…

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…

A Massachusetts regional high school that was formerly on probation has totally restructured its school day, culture, curriculum, and treatment of professionals. Flex time, offered in exchange for performing building supervision duties, allows teachers more flexibility and control in structuring their professional and personal lives. A more…

Teacher empowerment can be better appreciated if viewed as professionalization, rather than an exercise in worrying about who the boss is. This article discusses three guiding principles toward empowerment (status, knowledge, and access to decision-making), separate needs and vantage points of teachers and administrators, and teacher autonomy.…

While expecting to see microcomputers on the desks of business people, scientists, lawyers, and other professionals, we have failed to allow teachers similar access to these machines. Instead of trying to restructure teaching to fit future technologies, schools should empower teachers and place them at the forefront of future innovation. (MLH)

The article examines a specific challenge to special education during the 1990's as it stresses the critical importance of teacher empowerment in improved teacher morale and improved instruction for handicapped children. (DB)

Administrators can help teachers avoid burnout by recognizing teaching efforts, advising without prescribing solutions, and treating all faculty in a collegial manner. Career ladders and testing have negatively affected teacher morale, whereas teacher empowerment through participative decision-making produces better results. (MLH)

Investigates characteristics of participative decision making in schools implementing the School Management Initiative by using a three-dimensional model and both quantitative and qualitative methods. Reveals a deprivation state in decision making regarding issues of managerial and technical domains, but a positive attitude among teachers toward…

Discusses the formulation of the Australian Literacy Benchmarks for Year 3 and Year 5. Suggests they (1) lay claim to designating a minimum standard; (2) represent "fuzzy" standards; and (3) are a composite based on a number of underlying criteria. Claims teachers' knowledge of student literacy achievement is a richer source of valid…