Approaches to organizational development based on the human relations side of organizations have been emphasized so heavily that more fundamental and potentially more durable structural approaches have been neglected. This discussion, by reporting the structural perspective of Stanford's Environment for Teaching Program seeks such a remedy.…

Since educational organizations must constantly change to meet the demands of a changing society, educational administrators might look to the social sciences for help in managing change and innovation. This paper argues that an organizational approach to educational innovation is likely to be more successful than an individualistic approach.…

This case study explores the use of survey feedback--an organizational development technique--in an educational field setting. A version of survey feedback was used with an alternative high school to assist the staff in defining problems and in developing and implementing change strategies. Based on a perspective that focuses attention on the…

Many alternative schools established in the late 1960's and early 1970's eventually dissolved or became as traditional as their predecessors. This paper offers an organizational explanation of the failure of alternative schools. The author discusses criteria for identifying alternative schools and suggests a three-stage developmental model…

Two key principles in recognizing, empowering, and tapping the potential of "behind-the-scenes" college and university employees are discussed: finding leaders among them and linking the role of backstage employees to the core mission of the institution. A third and essential ingredient is administrative consistency in applying these principles.…

A brief introduction to organizational theory and organizational development for educational administrators is provided in this document. The first section contrasts individualistic and organizational approaches to educational problems. It is intended to give administrators two distinct perspectives for viewing day-to-day events. The second…

Compiled for school administrators who must initiate or respond to external mandate for change, this guide draws on the experiences of 10 rural school districts that participated in the federally funded Experimental Schools (ES) program for perspectives that can be used in the successful management of change efforts in school districts. Organized…

This report builds a case for survey feedback as a useful method of assisting schools to respond actively, rather than passively, to uncertainty and complexity in the school environment. The main argument is that passive responses, such as defensiveness and buffering, reduce educational effectiveness. Planning, an active response, creates…