This article sheds new light on the so-called "natural tension" between bureaucracy and professionalism in schools. As it is quite common in the educational field to appoint teachers, it is debatable whether the assumed tension really exists. It seems more reasonable to find hierarchical control "within" the professional group.…

In The Netherlands, waning confidence in government has resulted in educational policy favoring deregulation and increased autonomy for school boards and schools. Despite restructuring reforms, an intermediary administrative tier has developed that may be undermining school autonomy and weakening the central government's sense of responsibility.…