Reviews some of the forms school centralization has assumed, some of the problems following in its wake, and a few of the solutions undertaken to date. Optional (nontraditional) schools are singled out as a promising answer to governance difficulties. (Author/MLF)

Five years ago, the Huth Upper Grades Center in Matteson, Illinois, the only junior high school in the district, began incorporating significant elements of a child-oriented middle school. Among these was the assignment of students to one of five multidisciplinary teaching teams, called clusters. Available from NMSA, P.O. Box 968, Fairborn, OH…

Planning-programming-budgeting systems (PPBSs) place new demands on administrators and teachers, and responses to the innovation vary according to prior orientations, styles of work, and the manner in which the program is brought into the routine life of the school or district. (Author/EB)

The organizational pattern of schools, as tied to a centralized district policy, mitigates against serious teacher participation in curriculum deliberation and choice. Suggested are alternative forms of district organization that might be more facilitative of teacher curriculum decision making. (Author/MLF)

Curricular change requires fundamental changes in school organization to be effective. Argues that this can be accomplished "without undue strain and anxiety for the staff". (Author/RK)

Discipline is viewed in its broad organizational context as control of behavior. The context of secondary school discipline is analyzed in both its theoretical and practical aspects. Available from: Australian College of Education, 916 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia, $2.50 single copy. (Author/MLF)

Documents the radical shift in the constitutional status of the student and sketches some of the barriers to administrative responsiveness inherent in recognizing students' rights in public schools. (Author)

Professional educators may be behind the times in their thinking about school size. Many educational leaders mistakenly believe that large schools provide better learning environments at less cost than smaller schools. Actually, there are few conclusive before-and-after consolidation studies, consolidation does not seem to save money, and small…

Explores how metaphors are used to identify and store some expectations that structure schools' interactions and communications. Outlines a systems-theoretical view of schools derived from Niklas Luhmann's social theories. Illustrates how the metaphors identified in an earlier study provide material contexts for identifying and storing structures…

Explores the concept of decentralization within South Africa. Examines the policy impact of participation and democratization in relation to the powers and functions of school governing bodies. Concludes by considering the gap between rhetoric and practice in relation to attempts to entrench democracy and participation at the school level. (CAJ)

Traces evolution of the charter school movement from the author's initial proposals in the early 1970s to today's unprecedented opportunity for educators and citizens to revitalize their schools and vastly improve educational quality. Chartering all schools would truly decentralize schools and strengthen school-based management. (MLH)

High-performing schools, it is noted, share an organizational culture in which administrators, staff, and students agree on a common purpose for educational outcomes and undertake cooperative team efforts to reach these goals. A Virginia high school transformed its culture by providing comprehensive professional development and teacher-leadership…

Examines the concept of school culture to understand individual schools. Analyzes the terms culture and school culture and compares the concept of school culture to the concept of organizational culture. Argues that organizational culture is a key concept in school development. Assesses the methodology of the organizational culture approach. (CAJ)

Explains why block scheduling has become accepted practice at the secondary level and describes potential benefits for middle level schools. Shares common scheduling approaches and discusses their appropriateness for use at the middle level. Presents alternative models that would permit middle school faculties to capitalize on the benefits of…

The problems of education stem from system design, not faulty operation. Traditional education is based on autocratic principles, or order without freedom. The innovative Individual Education design, based on democratic principles, gives students control over their own learning and promotes the development of responsibility, respect,…