Report of research dealing with the relationship between decentralization in New York City and curriculum development, change, and evaluation in the community school districts of the public school system. (EH)

The data for the years 1969-1972 clearly support the ethnic succession-decentralization hypothesis. The new ethnic groups in New York City, the blacks, and Hispanics are achieving greater success in penetrating the school bureaucracy in the decentralized than in the centralized districts. (Author)

Argues that the principal cause of failure has been due to a lack of sufficient power to overcome the opposition of groups who depended upon and actively defended the historically centralized and professionally dominated system. (Author/AM)

The design, implementation, and eventual failure of a system-wide, long-term comprehensive reform of the Washington, D.C. elementary and junior high schools to improve academic achievement among black students is explored in depth. The struggle for control over policy making and the opposition of teachers' unions and community groups were key…

Noting that a historical example of local control is valuable in assessing the results of greater community involvement in school affairs, this article focuses on the development of the decentralized Pittsburgh school system, which in the early 1900's was composed of 38 sub-district boards, each possessing authority to levy taxes and to appoint…

A critical review of the widespread acceptance of accountability, pointing out that accountability is plagued by difficulties with measuring learning, with lack of research evidence to show that it benefits students, and with few plans for formally evaluating these models on a pilot basis before plunging ahead. (Author/JM)

In order to determine why community control groups and low income people have been excluded from power, this study describes and analyzes in detail the politics of education in a typical New York City public school district. (Author/JLF)

Reports findings of a 12-school district study examining differences in local perceptions about influences on their systems: Federal policies; State legislation; demographic trends; the local community; central offices. Presents case studies of three districts and recommendations for strengthening local capacity and sense of priorities. (KH)

A discussion of the educational problems of big-city school systems which defines the community school concept or philosophy, and emphasizes the role of an energetic school-home partnership composed of the community, parents, leaders, and educators. (JM)