The notion of schools as "loosely coupled" organizations has been widely discussed in the research literature. Many argue it is either a protective mechanism for schools to buffer external pressure or a barrier for implementing new reforms. Against the backdrop of systemic change and accountability, we applied a two-level hierarchical…

Every teacher's classroom practice is embedded in a system of overlapping contexts that interact with their day-to-day decisions. In this paper, I focus on sociocultural context and how it interacts with teachers' subjective responses to accountability instruments. Drawing on interviews with secondary school teachers in Finland and Singapore --…

Reform is a reality for many school districts and schools. When faced with reform movements, districts and schools must address both the immediate implementation and the sustainability of the reform. This dissertation study is informed by two theories centered on reform implementation and sustainability: Organizational Learning Theory by…

To formulate a "systems-based" plan to address the PK-12 infrastructure crisis, in 2016, the 21st Century School Fund (21CSF) and the University of California-Berkeley's Center for Cities + Schools (CC+S), in partnership with the National Council on School Facilities and the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council,…

This document is intended to assist State Education Agency (SEA) and Lead Agency (LA) staff and technical assistance providers in designing a meaningful evaluation for the State Performance Plan (SPP)/Annual Performance Report (APR) improvement activities. It provides: (1) information about the relevance of evaluation in the context of improvement…

This publication defines and illustrates approximately 80 terms and concepts that are crucial to understanding the Educational Management Project, a comprehensive inservice program for educational administrators that was developed by the Tucson Public Schools. Annotations for the individual terms vary in length from approximately 30 to 350 words…

Academic planning in higher education is strongly influenced by business management theories and practices. The author questions the usefulness of this approach because the nature of higher education differs from the nature of a profit-making business. However, rational planning to achieve efficiency is relevant if efficiency is not confined to…

The purpose of this article is to set forth a conceptual framework to help educational administrators understand the applications and potential of data processing activities in their institutions. It is expected that such a framework will provide a basis for data processing decisions and direction for future data processing activities. The model…

The terminology associated with instructional accountability, instructional relevance, and benefits to society were considered in determining a more efficient and effective instructional program. (Author/RK)

In this speech, the author argues against the current emphasis in accountability that focuses on ends rather than on means. He contends that this focus leads to programs of self justification -- e.g., programs that increase the size of public relations and research bureaus. The author urges that accountability be effectuated through improved and…

In response to the demand for accountability in higher education, colleges have adopted business techniques of planning and management systems in the form of Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Evaluation System (PPBES). The system approach to educational administration consists of three interrelated concepts: (1) input, (2) process, and (3)…

Many management styles in business and education today are not efficient, however the system of Management By Objectives (MBO) is proving to be successful. An MBO system basically has three parts: plan, implement, and review. In the planning stage the organization's purpose is defined, a mission statement developed, goals set, and objectives…

This paper outlines the concept of accountability, presents performance contracting as an external response to accountability, and examines the impact of planning, programing, budgeting, and evaluation systems (PPBES) in an accountable system. The major thesis of the paper is that PPBES assists in controlling accountability by specifying…

The least understood of complex systems is that which produces educated people. Superficially, many key elements of a manufacturing organization are part of the system: a product, product tolerance limits, methods for assessing product deviation, and a feed-back system for making compensatory adjustments. In layman's terms these elements are:…