Is the work of democracy too hard for schools to implement? This paper presents findings of a study that examined the dialectical relationship between the espoused values of democracy in schools and the actual practice of equity and inclusion in site-based decision making. Specifically, it examines the lived experience of the people inside schools…

This paper examines the proposition that administrative policy has the properties of a myth, with myth defined as a grand narrative of explanation and justification. It illustrates the proposition with an example of radical restructuring in a large education system, the Department of Education in New South Wales, Australia. It reviews the…

A crucial component of leadership is the element of choice. Regardless of how much a person studies leadership, it is essential that he or she makes a conscious choice to accept the leadership role. This book defines leadership, gives examples of research in the field and explains how this knowledge can be used, describes leadership-development…

Despite the recent attention to shared decision making, there has been little research investigating the process. This paper presents and compares three case studies describing the leadership and decision making of three shared-decision-making teams over 4 years. The teams--from one primary, one middle, and one high school--were set in one school…

Although extensive research has been conducted on organizational change initiatives in recent years, much of this research has tended to focus on issues of the timing of the change, types of change, and/or rationale for change. In order to better understand the systemic dynamics of change, however, efforts should be made to examine the inherent…

Several key concepts shed light on the traits and processes of leadership in educational settings. First, the term leadership can be understood as the act of persuading others to set aside individual concerns and pursue a common goal, with communication representing a key ability of leaders. The Communication Model provides a useful, open systems…

All National Home Study Council (NHSC) schools need public relations (PR) programs that are focused on the success of the school's graduates and the educational rigor and quality of its instruction rather than on the school owner's personal success or the success/size of the school. PR can be handled by schools' marketing departments. PR programs…

Building upon the conviction that student learning may be enhanced when the direct worlds of experience intersect with academics, this paper offers several assignments and exercises for the college-level business and professional-speaking course which intend to encourage this intersection. The paper serves as a resource of ideas for anyone who…

This book is designed to provide school administrators and labor leaders with ideas about how to improve school district labor relations by incorporating the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM). In schools that apply the principles of Total Quality Education (TQE)--that is TQM as it modified to school practice--labor and management can…

Whenever educators gather to achieve a common goal, every participant should arrive with a sense of purpose and leave with a feeling of accomplishment. This book explains how to make meetings more efficient and effective. It outlines: (1) the correlation between excellent meetings and excellent results; (2) how to plan, open, conduct, and follow…

This paper offers suggestions to help special educators and administrators effectively and thoroughly tell people about their school's programs and events dealing with special education. General suggestions include appointing a public relations coordinator, having school personnel complete a Public Relations Help Request Form when publicizing…

A study examined the reactions of organizational members to ownership change. Participant observation during a 2-week stay in each of two national corporations, American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Union Underwear, provided data in the study. Results showed different reactions to change illustrated through corporate differences in structure,…

A study used structuration theory to examine the climate of a school prior to a teachers' strike and explored the theory's value and explanatory power. The school is an older, established elementary school in a small town which borders on a major metropolitan area in the midwest. Data (collected over several weeks during school district…

Focusing on publications that have addressed Total Quality Management at the university level, this annotated bibliogrpahy contains 42 citations. The citations date from 1979 to 1992, with the greatest number in the late 80s and the 90s. Both journal articles and books are included. (NKA)

A large government agency had been experiencing a variety of changes. The new head of the agency approached communication researchers about doing analyses of the effectiveness of communication in the agency. The researchers conducted two studies: a qualitative one to identify organizational and organizational communication themes, and a…