Describes several administrative-community alternatives for governing metropolitan schools: (1) administrative decentralization, (2) community participation, and (3) community control. (CT)

Current interest in control of schools is a struggle for economic influence rather than genuine educational concerns, and in urban areas is generally a struggle between black and whites. A systems approach, claims author, is an alternative for sharing control and responsibility. (DS)

A community controlled district in Harlem showed many positive features over a non-community controlled district; but today it no longer exists. Although quickly subverted by the larger organization, such unsanctioned social experiments provide significant new data for urban public organizations. (DM)

This document defines some concepts of decentralization and outlines a number of legal problems inherent in the process. According to this paper, decentralization covers the spectrum from distribution of administrative functions to local board assumption of power. Some legal problems involve method of finance, abolition of old positions, and…

This handbook is organized by action areas that a school principal needs to consider in creating, maintaining, and utilizing successful involvement with the neighboring communities. Each area discusses the range of options available to the principal. Building principals are thus able to select features to fit their particular communities. The…

Research on District Decentralized Title I ESEA programs reveals conflict among school officials, community representatives, and community agencies. School officials mistrust and poorly communicate with community representatives. Community agencies compete for the economic resources brought by decentralization, while overlooking the main objective…

This document reports on an evaluative study of New York City's community education centers. Initiated in 1968, the Community Education Centers (CEC) Program is designed to coordinate and concentrate educational services for disadvantaged persons with low educational achievement and restricted social mobility. By involving citizens in…

This discussion is organized into four sections. In an introductory section, it is pointed out that the word "decentralization" appears to have many meanings. There is a need to clarify definitions, and to examine decentralization in a practical, working context. In Part 1, "Background and Issues", some of the major issues…

This chapter provides insights into the solution of financial and governance problems that face big city education. The report identifies recent developments affecting big city education such as metropolitanism, regionalism, full State financing, revenue sharing, and reform of property taxation. The authors discuss (1) recent court cases affecting…

This study is focused on policy: How did the school decentralization law affect the recruitment and selection of board members? How did the legal matrix set the conditions for community boards to function? And how did these community boards pursue their policies in three key areas: personnel, budget, and curriculum? Social change requires a…

Current and incipient problems in educational administration in England can be grouped into two areas: those resulting from reorganization and those arising from social and political factors. Many problems faced by educational administrators result from school reorganization that is a result of an increase in the number of comprehensive schools.…