Examines school reform implemented by Paulo Freire and the Workers' Party in Sao Paulo during 1989-92. Focuses on various institutional mechanisms created to support teachers' efforts to learn the skills necessary for realization of reform objectives. Appendices list reform objectives and outline phases and activities in a teacher-directed…

In the University of Massachusetts' multicampus system, an integrated suite of technologies called PRO*CAST provides administrators, planners, and policymakers with access to timely, accurate information to support decision making and monitor progress toward established goals. The system is structured as an information warehouse with executive…

The article examines various issues related to the current efforts to establish market driven schools and broaden the educational choices available to students and parents, focusing on increased academic achievement, secondary effects of market driven schools, choice as a valued end in itself, and social equity. (SM)

Reviews strategies used in the Columbus (Ohio) public schools to ensure that central office staff would be effective and supportive in implementing systemic reform. The implementation of the Effective Schools Process in the schools created a shift in the decision-making locus from the central office to local school sites. (SM)

Participants in the League of Professional Schools based at the University of Georgia discuss the effects of shared governance, a schoolwide instructional focus, and action research on 22 participating schools from various districts. The article explains factors that facilitated internal change and adjustments the league made in its operating…

Reminds early care teachers to make quality decisions that keep the child's best interests in mind. Gives several examples of possible parent-school conflicts and guidelines for resolution that keep the child's best interest foremost. (ET)

Development of an inexpensive but powerful computer program to teach clinical periodontal diagnosis using epidemiological principles is described. Using probabilistic thinking, the student is guided from application of raw research data to derivation of likelihood ratios and how they affect clinical decision making. Student response was found to…

Reviews educational reform efforts in Israel. Identifies mechanisms that constrain reform in a centralized educational system. Contends that successful reform implementation requires responding to client needs and efforts to unite both political interest groups in support of reform policies. (CFR)

Proposes a framework for the practice of democratic decision making by teachers with their students, a framework developed through practice in educational institutions at all levels as well as in the community. The paper presents steps to take in moving toward the democratic ideal in a teacher-with-student class. (SM)

Examines school-based management as an effective strategy for optimizing the individual performance of teachers, students, and parents. Under school-based management, principals and teachers are given total responsibility for budgeting, selecting textbooks, scheduling, and hiring. This system provides flexibility in relationships with the broader…

The growing practice of arranging foster placement of abused children with relatives provides an opportunity to redefine relationships between extended families and the child welfare system and to develop five areas of the social work curriculum: human behavior and social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice,…

Summarizes the steps and strategies taken to produce a comprehensive multiyear budget that functions as a financial forecast. Discusses the key concepts and components of an effective plan as well as the presentation and implementation of the plan. (seven figures) (MLF)

This study examined the effectiveness of school-based drug education in affecting knowledge, attitudes, decision making, motivation, and self-esteem. Pre- and postintervention surveys of fourth through eighth graders indicated that self-esteem did not improve significantly. Knowledge and attitude scores improved significantly, with a positive…

Explores ways in which the current governance structure of U.S. schools detracts from their ability to solve educational problems. Self-managed leadership is proposed as an alternative that does not restrict the problem-solving capabilities of teachers. Implications for teacher and principal behavior are examined. (SLD)

Discusses dilemmas teachers may face when shifting their concept of teaching or tutoring from explaining or telling to a constructivist perspective of facilitating the development of students' knowledge structures. Examines teachers' decisions during a 20-minute segment of dialogue between a student and teacher while studying linear functions. (14…