Reviews the history of Brazilian decentralization policies, including those implemented by the military regime of 1964. Describes the experiences of democratic public school administration initiated in the 1970s-80s. Analyzes the move toward decentralization and democratization of public school administration in federal and state constitutions and…

Examines teacher reactions to an Oregon law designed to restructure public education around Certificates of Initial and Advanced Mastery. Over 2,000 educators in 92 schools completed surveys. Responses showed cautious support for reform ideas, tempered with skepticisms concerning implementation. Rural teachers were more critical of the plan. (50…

This response to five case studies of inclusive practices for elementary students with learning disabilities stresses the importance of educational restructuring, especially establishing goals that focus and direct what is taught in all classrooms and changing policies and operations to create more collaborative work structures. (Author/DB)

"Job role dissonance" may be experienced by educators who embrace an alternative paradigm for working with students having learning problems. Institutional and other obstacles to true restructuring and better service delivery may include legal mandates, the systemic nature of schools, parents' belief systems, and time limitations of staff.…

A critical problem in Japanese high school education is lack of fit between uniform curriculum and students' heterogeneous interests and abilities. This article explores policy initiatives to restructure and diversify high school education. Innovative high schools with "comprehensive" programs are emerging at a time when U.S. schools are…

Questions whether William Rainey Harper was responsible for David Starr Jordan's and Benjamin Ida Wheeler's advocacy of the municipal junior college in California; whether Jordan and Wheeler introduced the idea to Senator Anthony Caminetti prior to his introduction of the bill permitting six-year high schools; and what constitutes sufficient…

Uses a case study approach to determine how a rural supervisory union school district and its communities attempted to improve the union's economic feasibility and address important school needs. Efforts appear to have resulted in greater teacher involvement, commitment, and ownership of subsequent changes and promotion of teachers to…

Provides an overview of keynote speakers and issues addressed at the 1992 National Conference of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) held in Baltimore (Maryland). Highlights include educational reform and restructuring; librarians as enablers of change; programs to help with change; and electronically based projects. (LRW)

Proposes a strategy for educational reform that provides a supportive state policy structure of sustained school-level reform. Three coordinated components are described: a unifying vision and goals; a coherent instructional guidance system including guidelines for curriculum frameworks, materials, professional development, and assessment; and a…

Examines whether Canadians see a need for change in their public schools and the role of educational technologists in the change process. Three strategies to help educational technologists improve K-12 education are suggested: school system reorganization; teacher training; and the diffusion/adoption approach (i.e., acting as external change…

Discusses the history of curriculum theory, reasons for the gap between theory and practice, and propositions for improving the relationship. Literature shows little progress in reducing the gap. Three movements may offer theorists and practitioners more curriculum control and reduce the gap: empowering teachers, professionalizing teaching, and…

The Family/School/Community Participation Project restructured Florida State University's affiliated K-12 school through three phases: (1) School as Family, preparing teachers and administrators to create a supportive school environment; (2) Family Outreach, involving the school in helping families with a supportive home environment; and (3)…

Two decades after helping a school begin the transition to middle level, observations are made of the results of middle school planning, implementation, and evaluation. Chief areas of focus were interdisciplinary teaming, block scheduling, exploratory activities, and an adviser-advisee arrangement. (MLF)

A Michigan high school abandoned its coercive school management practices for a system actively involving students in decision making. To help students feel they could make a difference, the Reaching Success through Involvement format was used to identify six workable student-involvement areas: extracurricular activities, school governance,…

Presents an interview with Linda Darling-Hammond, codirector of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST). Topics discussed include educational reform; the role of technology in redesigning schools; reducing school size; teacher training; alternative assessment methods; curriculum changes; barriers to school…