This paper briefly describes the Accelerated Schools Project, presents ideas concerning an appropriate evaluation model, and conveys some early results achieved across the nation. The Accelerated Schools model attempts to restructure schools with high concentrations of students in at-risk situations so that they enter the mainstream by the end of…

In 1996 the Chancellor introduced Performance Driven Budgeting (PDB) to the New York City schools. PDB is a form of decentralized budgetary decision making intended to provide local educators with increased control and flexibility over the use of resources. The plan established a framework of goals and principles, outlined a phased-in…

This report reviews the second-year implementation of the New York City public school system's Performance Driven Budget (PDB) initiative. The Galaxy budgeting system that is part of the PDB initiative generates a school's budget from its table of organization, and then derives district and Central budgets by aggregating all school budgets. After…

This paper discusses the Collaborative Action Team (CAT) process, which was initiated by the U.S. Department of Education, and which encourages the development of partnerships among families, community members, school personnel, and students in communities with histories of ongoing and underserved needs. CAT is based on a set of core principles…

Arising from the first 2 years of a 5-year project studying Chicago school reform, this report analyzes local school council meetings, principal evaluation and selection, and school improvement plans in 14 sample schools. Findings are based on observing 177 council meetings during 1990-91, interviewing principals and Professional Personnel…

So that New York City could build on the experiences of other large cities as it implemented Performance Driven Budgeting (PDB) in the schools, a study was conducted of the school based budgeting training in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver. These districts have from 6 to 10 years experience in site-based budgeting. The study is based on…

Utilizes data from a four-year longitudinal study of two suburban school districts to explore obstacles to implementation of school based management (SBM) at the school district and building levels. Examines delegation of authority, functioning of site councils, and program advocacy. (FMW)

Introducing a wider perspective of evaluation into the school by developing school-based evaluation mechanisms is discussed. The approach is based on conceptual development derived from U.S. perspectives on program evaluation, actual work in schools with teachers and principals in Israel, and empirical studies in the United States. (SLD)

This report presents findings of an evaluation study of the District of Columbia's special education service delivery model (SDM) which focuses on decentralization, to school-based teams, of the processes of identification, assessment, and placement of special education students. The SDM was initially implemented as a pilot project with 40 schools…

The Cluster Schools Program attempted to restructure the governance structure in participating Newark (New Jersey) schools through shared decision making and site-based management. It also sought to foster strong links with other public and private institutions by establishing a collaborative that includes university participants among others.…