England's schooling landscape is being remodelled and the move from hierarchical to heterarchical modes of governance has implications for systemic change strategies. Balancing local and networked autonomy with centralising policies complexifies choices for schools, creating tensions that this article explores through the context of curriculum…

Fiscal efficiency and organizational effectiveness were the primary objectives that underpinned the reform of educational administration in New Zealand in the late 1980s. The consequent re-organization of schools and schooling located responsibility and accountability for school performance, teachers' work and student outcomes firmly at the door…

In comparing and contrasting the year (horizontal) and house (vertical) systems of pastoral (guidance) organization and management in British secondary schools, this article examines a model combining pastoral and academic concerns by establishing a vertical system. This system is proposed as the most effective way to integrate these two concerns.…

Attempts to reconcile two theoretically opposing perspectives of bureaucracy (as either alienating or facilitative) by creating and testing a new construct called "enabling bureaucracy." Empirical results are encouraging. Schools can be designed with formalized procedures and hierarchical structures that help rather than hinder teaching and…

Outlines procedures for constructing a definitive model which conceptualizes the nongraded system. (Author)

As schools are typically organized, children work under the guidance of female teachers employed by a male principal (the boss) empowered to interrupt their classes at will and mete out discipline. The principal serves as district stationmaster but not necessarily as educator. Two hypothetical examples show how teachers and secretaries can…

Presents five definitions of "systemic change," ranging from "working with school districts or education departments to effect change" (vertical approach) to "working with every school in a system" or "working with every aspect of the school system (horizontal approaches). "Systemic" can also mean…

The first essential is increased opportunities for heads and senior teachers to develop an understanding of the influence of roles and relationships upon the task of the school so that, in their turn, they may assist their colleagues, with outside help if necessary, to a similar understanding. (Author)

Although bureaucratic decentralization lies at the heart of educational restructuring, many state-level reform strategies adopted since 1983 perpetuate the regulatory orientation of school improvement. This article assesses the restructuring movement, exemplified by the Coalition of Essential Schools, and the overall politics of American…

Numerous dysfunctions result from bureaucratic school organization, including an overemphasis on specialized tasks, routine operating rules, and formal procedures for managing teaching and learning. Such schools are characterized by numerous regulations; formal communications; centralized decision making; and sharp distinctions among…

Examines Israeli teacher autonomy in a centrally developed high school curriculum. Describes how teachers view this shift of control and the 50 percent assessment-by-teacher system. Concludes teacher autonomy is not necessarily dependent on the system being noncentralist and that guided freedom increases teacher power and potential effectiveness.…

Describes the political dynamics, hierarchy, and rituals of a typical college humanities department. Proposes reorganizing this academic structure, replacing the "humanities" with a philosophy of liberal education. (MM)

Near destruction of the city's school plant had a single merit: Londoners could rebuild from scratch. One result is England's highly regarded comprehensive secondary school system. (Author)

Ackoff's circular structure has been successfully used to combine hierarchy and democracy in various industries. This paper argues that this structure is the most appropriate democratic structure for public schools' internal governance. A circularity of power relations between administrators and teachers would create genuinely empowering teacher…

This pamphlet surveys the research and literature concerned with school organizational plans and their effects on learning. Focusing on vertical and horizontal organization and scheduling, this document lists 10 guidelines to improve organization for instruction and discusses exemplary practices and plans. An extensive bibliography is included.…