Argues that the question for those concerned with education and politics is to determine the possibilities, limits and likely consequences of community control of the schools or its alternatives, and that by taking particular political decisions it will be possible to shape extra-political factors so as to either to enhance or to limit the…

Decentralization of school systems to allow local control of the educational process would be costly, although it would reduce many racial tensions. A less costly method of providing more satisfactory educational programs to low economic groups would be to aid them in evaluating their economic status. (CK)

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…

The first major controversy of New York City's new Community School District System has revolved around the allocation of funds available under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The uproar started when the Board of Education announced the allocations for the districts in the last moments before the 1970-71 year was to begin.…

The plan proposed in this report gives elected community boards of education the responsibility and authority to meet particular educational needs of their communities, including in the special area of low academic achievement. The proposal is in the form of a guideline and covers such areas as selection of community boards; parent participation;…

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…

The contents of this collection of articles by various authors are organized in two parts. Part I, "Innovations within the present educational system," includes the following articles: "Children and their Caretakers," N.K. Denzin; "Participation, decentralization, community control, and quality education," M.D. Fantini; "Educational Vouchers: a…

In this book, Chapter 1, "The Issues," discusses such questions as: Would community control be a step toward racial separatism, intensify social friction, be anti-libertarian, be inimical to government honesty, equity, and professionalism, reduce the capacity of local government for vigorous action and for action based on citywide considerations,…

The Philadelphia Commission on Decentralization and Community Participation offers plans for reforms on the school and district level. On the school level, three options are suggested: (1) informal community participation in decision-making; (2) advisory participation in the form of an elected or appointed committee from the community; or, (3)…

The broad outlines of the recommendations for dealing with the urban school crisis presented by the National Educational Association (NEA) Task Force Project are: (1) decentralization and reorganization involving both parents and educators in decision making processes; (2) availability of medical and dental care; (3) individualized instruction;…

The conference proceedings which comprise this book focus on three problem areas: (1) Objectives and social implications of community governance of city schools, covered as follows: Harold Pfautz discusses the long-run impact of community-governed schools on goals of racial equality and harmony, Mario Fantini suggests the curriculum and other…

The major stimulus of the community school movement is a general dissatisfaction with the existing public education system, the greatest thrust having come from the minority groups. The two major difficulties appear to be the creation of independent schools or districts under local community control, and the development of adequate funding…

Education for rural Alaska Natives has come along a lengthy and tortuous path. Today the much criticized tripartite system remains in which the Federal, state and local governments deliver educational services. A new state law, S.B. 35, which attempts to decentralize control, raises some serious legal problems because of its inconsistency with…

This report is an overview of a conference on the reform of urban schools, focusing on the Chicago (Illinois) public schools. Panel discussions included the following: (1) "Parents' Role/Parental Involvement"; (2) "School-Based Management"; (3) "The Principal's Roles and Responsibilities"; (4) "Teacher…