This paper reports the results of a survey study of the perceptions of a small sample of teachers about the benefits of providing students with instructional choice. Instructional choice was defined as a conscious decision of the teacher to grant the student some degree of control over either the content or the activity of learning. Teachers in…

Since the 1980s, shared decision making (SDM) has become a significant part of school-reform efforts. Advocates say that SDM will improve student learning, create teacher satisfaction, and develop new forms of leadership. This digest in Spanish presents an overview of research that investigated whether SDM delivers on these promises. Studies…

This report has two main purposes: to examine the perceived impact of teacher leadership, and to explore the conditions in schools that support or constrain teacher leadership. It discusses peer-nominated, nonadministrative leaders; leadership practices; and sources of power. The report is based on a multisite case study of three schools, serving…

School leaders must develop skills and tools to create patterns of relationships that facilitate collegiality and shared decision making and promote reflective inquiry. The connection between the preparation of school leaders and the daily process of nurturing a learning community is important. School leaders must develop and enhance their own…

Many researchers recommend building community to promote K-12 school improvement, noting the importance of teachers experiencing community in teacher education. This paper examines the concept of a learning community in the context of teacher education. It describes a 2-year qualitative study of community in a master's degree program. The program…

The articles in this issue of Learning Quarterly, published by the Centre for Curriculum, Transfer and Technology (British Columbia), discuss "Charting a New Course," a strategic plan for the college, institute, and agency system in British Columbia. Introduced in 1996, the plan resulted from a collaborative effort in which institutional…

A study examined a group of Israeli teacher educators who met to develop a new integrative curriculum, investigating characteristics of the curriculum development process and of the planning group as a professional discourse community. Data sources included transcripts of 26 conferences throughout the year, participant interviews, and participant…

A study of students' group learning behavior in a laboratory course in experimental engineering at the University of New South Wales, Australia is reported. Observations of students at work and students' reports of their group activities indicate continuing group involvement in an extensive range of collaborative peer learning activities.…

Investigated the attitudes of Nigerian professors (N=21), university administrators (N=21), and students (N=128) towards student participation in decision-making. Results showed significant differences between professor, student and administrator attitudes. The no-significant difference between the professor and administrator groups was expected.…

Characteristics of new teams are reviewed with attention being given to variables that must be addressed to ensure their effectiveness. A process model of team building also is described, and implications of research on group effectiveness for multidisciplinary teams in schools are discussed. (Author/PN)

This paper presents four challenges facing multidisciplinary teams (MDT): (1) ensuring efficient use of available time; (2) developing the skills and knowledge base of team members; (3) assigning available personnel resources; and (4) developing strategies for reduction of team member stress guidelines for planning internal MDT evaluation…

Three areas related to decision making are discussed: (1) a research survey summary of multidisciplinary team decision making (MTD); (2) four approaches for structuring MTD decision making; and (3) styles of leadership as a factor that impacts on the decision-making teams. (Author/PN)

A problem-oriented approach originally designed for patient record keeping by Dr. Lawrence Weed was adapted to facilitate decision making by administrators of student health care services at the University of Southern California. A description of the approach is given, and reactions of staff members are described. (PP)

The Self-Actualizing Case Method (SACM) fosters high trainee involvement by making the group responsible for all aspects of the case study, including its presentation, analysis, and peer evaluation. The authors discuss this teaching method and include a survey analysis of trainees' attitudes to SACM. (PD)

The author explains the particular relevance of participatory decision making for the Catholic school administrator, with reference to such organizational theories as McGregor's Theory Y and Maslow's hierarchy of human needs. (Author/SJL)