Social system perspective which belongs to systems theory has been elaborated comprehensively using its founders' ideas, and characteristics of schools have been explained consulting to this perspective. The course of social system idea has been reviewed along with its relation to other systems. How researchers who assumes schools as social…

Responds to an earlier comment by R. Jean Hills regarding the correct use of Parsonian concepts. Notes the difficulty of presenting Parsons' theory and quotes several sources supporting his interpretation of the functions of a system's managerial level. (RW)

Responds to an earlier comment, in a continuing discussion of Parsonian functional imperatives and their basis in observation, their intellectual status, their ability to be tested empirically, and the number of imperatives. (RW)

Previous attempts to describe the "structure" of social systems have failed either because of the researcher's presuppositions about the system or because of his inability to deal with the massive amounts of data that a human system necessarily generates. Recent advances in computer software, Network Analysis Program (NEGOPY). have made…

The application of nonequilibrium thermodynamics could lead to new ways of understanding social processes. (BB)

The monograph is based upon a series of papers presented at a 1967 staff development workshop on the Conceptual Frameworks of the Social Sciences: Implication for Laboratory Programs. The four major areas investigated by these papers are: (1) the nature of culture and its relationship to educational processes; (2) the application of social…

In this paper the main focus was placed on the relationships between three educational branches that exist at the local level as well as their relationships with the surrounding environment. (Author)

This paper summarizes a new paradigm of instructional supervision, which shifts the focus on supervision from an examination of individual behavior to the improvement of work processes and social system components of the school district. The paradigm, called "Knowledge Work Supervision," helps teams of teachers and specially trained supervisors…

This paper summarizes a new paradigm of instructional supervision, which shifts the focus from individual behavior to the improvement of work processes and social system components of the school district. The proposed paradigm, the Knowledge Work Supervision model, is derived from sociotechnical systems design theory and linked to the premise that…

This paper explores radical critical theory, which questions the most fundamental assumptions of traditional family sociology by posing alternative ways of uncovering the realities of marriage. The first section provides a background in radical-critical theory, while the second section attempts to locate the radical-critical perspective within the…

A method for modeling the structure of large social systems has been developed which is based on the interpersonal communication networks present in the functioning system. Recent developments in techniques and computer software have made possible the analysis of networks of several thousand persons. The new technique provides a method for…

The main purpose of this paper is to examine recurring themes which emerge from past federal programs in early education and to identify potential areas where critical historical research is necessary. The author, after a brief survey of federal involvement in early education from 1933 to 1973, suggests that the historical perspective might…

A paradigm for the study of the diffusion of complex innovations through a society is presented in this paper; the paradigm is useful for studying sociocultural change as innovations diffuse. The model is designed to account for change within social systems rather than in individuals, although it would also be consistent with information…