Discusses how the Summit Public Schools in New Jersey diagnosed and solved their management problem. Their internal assessment examined key elements of the school system and identified three problem areas that were then addressed in the school system objectives. (MD)

Abandoning its disjointed strategic plan, the Phoenix (Arizona) Union High School District concentrated on improving student achievement and utilization of fiscal and human resources. These goals were achieved by replacing adversarial collective bargaining with interest-based negotiation and working toward higher graduation rates and lower dropout…

The process of developing goals for boards and school systems includes formulating broad goals, making sure system employees and community members are familiar with the goals, making a commitment to the goals, setting yearly board objectives, and tying the superintendent's evaluation to yearly objectives. (MJL)

Describes a California school district's efforts to restructure its curriculum in light of suggestions solicited from various parts of the community, including employers of high school graduates and college admissions officers. (JBM)