Develops a model for analyzing the centralized/decentralized nature of decision-making in American colleges and universities. (Author)

Decentralization and recentralization are continuing phenomena in large bureaucracies, each cyclically emerging to prominence. The current decentralization strategy for large city school systems can only be successful in conjunction with continuing (though altered) centralized functions. (Author)

Institutions of higher education are faced with difficult decisions on the allocation of funds between decentralized minicomputers and computer centers. The Computer Policy Committee at the University of Michigan provides a useful example of policy formation and decision-making regarding the acquisition and utilization of computers. Acquisition…

A research program at Trinity College in Ireland is reported that focused on the decision-making process, particularly the committee structure. Described are the role of individuals within committees, centralized versus decentralized decision-making, costs, sources of rigidity, and problems of the concentration of power. (Author/LBH)

The process and experiences associated with strategic planning in a recently decentralized administrative information systems environment are described. Background information on why Virginia Commonwealth University decentralized the authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of administrative information services to major…

Between 1983 and 1987, every state in the United States adopted some sort of education reform. This paper presents findings of an analysis of reform activity in the 50 states during the mid-1980s, with a focus on several education and socioeconomic indicators. The conceptual framework was grounded in general-systems theory, which attributes some…

A research study examined the computing strategies of colleges and universities with enrollments of 5,000 or fewer. The management/governance structures were studied and responding institutions indicated that the concept of collegiality was prevalent in setting overall computing policy. (MLW)

Issues concerning whether to centralize or decentralize decision-making are addressed, with applications for colleges. Centralization/decentralization (C/D) must be analyzed with reference to a particular decision. Three components of C/D are locus of authority, breadth of participation, and relative contribution by the decision-maker's staff. C/D…

It is argued that the basic means-ends analysis of systemic educational policy may be mistaken in the current national context. The author agrees with the basic premises of systemic educational policy but thinks that a mandatory system of strong instructional guidance from the state has basic problems, as discussed. (SLD)

The highlights of research conducted by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) on the state regulation of schools and districts are summarized in this report. State education regulation can be classified into three types, depending upon whether the focus is on school inputs, processes, or outputs. Based primarily on four state case…

The role of distributed computing continues to pose challenges, from organizational strategies to definitions and fundamental understandings of the terms. Concerns within the framework of management changes and organizational structures are addressed. (Author/MLW)

This paper discusses the allocation of policy influences at the national, state, and local levels of government. A theory of what causes a change from a decentralized to a more centralized system is developed and whether and how such a theory of change is related to a theory of the origins of a federal system is explored. The author presents…

The decade 1980-90 saw a spate of educational reconstruction occurring simultaneously in many countries. This book argues that the school restructuring of the past 10 years has been called the "education-reform movement," but that term is somewhat misleading. The current reform efforts seem to aim primarily at the control and governance of both…

A discussion of secondary education curriculum reform, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe, examines potentially conflicting concerns characterizing the current reform debate: stronger national policies alongside calls for curricula responsive to local needs; broad versus core curricula; central versus decentralized control of assessment;…

National language planning involves four interdependent processes that ideally constitute a cycle: fact-finding, policy formation, implementation, and evaluation. Each of these processes is more difficult in the relatively young but highly pluralistic nations of Africa. A community-based model of language planning offers ways to alleviate or…