Presents a systems theory approach to strategic planning and a framework for conceptualizing and managing the process more effectively. Reviews problems in past strategic planning efforts, presents a synopsis of systems theory, and applies the systems approach to planning and decision-making processes. Includes two figures and 26 references. (MLH)

Examines educational reform as a systemic process. Views school districts as dynamic systems that use reforms to reinforce their equilibrium as institutional organizations. Institutionalization effectively blocks formal feedback to decision makers. Reforms exhibit an alternating pattern, resulting from a default feedback process reflecting…

Decisionmaking is the process of choosing among alternatives, or turning inputs into outputs. In a situation of information overload, inputs exceed the decisionmaker's capacity to assimilate and act on the information as well as his ability to evaluate every alternative. Decisionmakers have a variety of responses to information overload, some of…

Both the curricula and methodology of preparing principals is the subject of this article. Describing procedures that work, it will interest principals as well as professors of school administration. (Editor)

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)

Presents seven principles for applying technology to training and development problems. Based on General Systems Theory (GST), these principles were developed to help with long-term decisions. Highlights include instructional systems development models; complexity in cultural systems; matching training materials to user characteristics; systems…

A coordinated and articulated evaluation system at all levels in occupational education is vitally important to the success of programs. (Author)

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of systems analysis as applied to the development of a program evaluation plan. A brief review of selected concepts in evaluation theory (Lee J. Cronbach; Michael Scriven; Robert Stake; Daniel Stufflebeam), a description of general systems theory, the development of a…

This document reports the Center's current thinking about PPBS and data-based educational planning. In the introduction, PPBS is defined, the usual conceptualization of PPBS is outlined, current pressure to adopt PPBS in public education is discussed, and current efforts at such implementation are reviewed. The second part deals with basic…

The systems analysis of political life might be used as a basis for teaching about the political process in all grades, including elementary school. A political system is part of an intra-societal environment including ecological, biological, personality, economic, cultural, and other systems, all operating in society and bound by an…

This paper considers the design and analysis of feeding back information about achievement test results to teachers and students in a high school classroom. An introductory section discusses the designing and administering of tests throughout the year in such a fashion as to provide pre-instruction, post-instruction, and retention achievement…

The development and use of a computer-based career system at Georgia State University to provide occupational and educational information to current and potential university constituents is discussed. The delivery areas and activities of the Georgia Career Information System (GCIS) are analyzed through the reduction model, a general systems model…

Every administrator bears primary responsibility for planning the accomplishment of those objectives and activities that fall in his area. When responsibility is relatively restricted, the informal and intuitive methods that constitute "sound judgment" suffice. However, as his area of responsibility widens to include increasingly complex…