Understanding of four basic organization management models--the rational model, the mechanistic model, the collegial/organic model, and the political theory/bargaining model--can aid school principals in critically assessing their own administrative styles. (LH)

The educational administrator interviewed in this article expounds upon his theory that a low-level authority profile, communications skills, and leadership qualities in innovative education are the essential elements of a successful school principal. (LH)

Although state policy makers have been setting new standards for public school promotion and graduation under the rubric of Competency Based Education (CBE), they have used the concept of CBE in two different ways; one involves focusing school activities and graduation requirements on various competencies, whereas the other specifies how education…

A study of three schools is presented. The causes of internal conflicts which often lead to the demise of such schools are discussed. Article concludes that despite their transient nature, these schools serve an important purpose, both as legitimate educational alternatives and as examples of new methods for existing schools. (RW)

Inservice training is considered the first priority in curriculum development. Education of teaching staff through conferences, committees, and the establishment of a school resource center is discussed. (RW)

This paper describes a method of organizing a mathematics department to provide students with a flexible individualized program consisting of core courses and modular electives. The adaptability of the program to both open and traditional schools is discussed, as is evaluation of the program. (SD)

In the late 1980s, radical administrative changes (setting up boards of trustees and relaxing zoning restrictions) were undertaken in New Zealand's education system to make schools more responsive to their communities. This paper describes the consequences of implementing these policies, using evidence from a study of a particular high school.…

Asserts that the major public policy issues facing the United States--changing demographics, uneven wealth distribution, and globalization--require college and universities to rethink familiar organizational units such as departments and schools and relinquish dated epistemological categories, such as "domestic" and "international." (EV)

Points out the potential in a neo-institutional perspective as applied to school organization. Sketches the theoretical foundations and current developments of sociological neo-institutionalism. Discusses the German school system and plans for school reform. Shows that from a neo-institutional perspective, school sector offers a variety of fields…

A hierarchical linear model analysis investigated the effects of structural and normative features of schools on absenteeism and the probability of dropping out. Subjects included 4,450 sophomores in 160 Catholic and public high schools from the High School and Beyond 1980 cohort. (SLD)

Guidelines are offered for those involved in a shift from a more secondary oriented, departmentally organized school to a middle level perspective that is more sensitive to the needs of young adolescents. (MLF)

Explores the assumption that Australian state school systems are too highly centralized and inflexible to cater to students' diverse educational needs. An examination of Queensland and New South Wales schools shows that system-level directives are not unduly prescriptive. Regional office staff often practice "benign neglect" of central…

A 1988 Johns Hopkins University survey gathered data on organizational variations among schools containing grade seven to study how grade span affects school programs, teaching practices, and student progress. This article reports selected results on the relation of grade span to school size, grade level enrollment, school goals, report card…

Describes recent efforts at educational reform in the USSR and analyzes the first results of these actions. Notes that educational reform requires not only improvement in content and organization, but also a change in teachers' consciousness and increased funding. Lists eight programs established to stimulate reform. (KO)

An unprecedented number of foreign-born children in California classrooms are forcing educators to rethink school programs, structures, policies, and staffing. Schools are largely overwhelmed by demographic changes, war-traumatized and undocumented children, tremendous academic gaps, and cultural and language diversity. Classroom methods and…