The National Education Association's approach to improving public education is founded on John Dewey's vision of democratic schooling and rational decision making, as the experience of Pinellas County, Florida, shows. This article describes the district's efforts to implement the Mastery in Learning project, a shared decision-making model.…

Although the process of participative, school-based budgeting might seem tedious and time-consuming, it can truly empower teachers and administrators. One cannot set instructional and budgetary priorities without knowing costs. A costing formula to help facilitate the budgeting process is presented. Includes 18 references. (MLH)

Describes and analyzes a participatory approach to budgetary decision-making used by an exemplary high school. In spite of the budgetary forces dividing instructional departments, support units, and administration, an equitable division of resources provided to the school was consistently achieved each year. Includes 29 references. (MLH)

Provides a case study of a Japanese-owned British manufacturing plant. Its purpose was to establish reasons for the introduction of employee participation in the company's manufacturing plant. (JOW)

For interdisciplinary teams to function effectively, members must be cognizant of the effects of group dynamics on team decision-making. Individual characteristics, group characteristics, and situational factors are discussed as they relate to the processes teams use in carrying out their goal of providing early intervention services to children…

Collaborative teamwork between school board members and administrators in a rural Oregon community concerning negotiations has been positive. Under the new system, the teacher-versus-administrator conflict has been reduced; board members became involved in all the districts' committees; and the time spent on negotiations has been cut in half. (MLF)

Discusses the use of simulation games in the development of social theory. Topics discussed include microsociological and macrosociological theory; the influence process in a game of community conflict; self-esteem in a high school social system game; and collective decisions and a theory of exchange of control over events. (LRW)

Imposed legalistic school disciplinary codes are ineffectual and undemocratic. The focus and form of legalization in school discipline systems must shift to rule formation processes. The importance of evaluating impediments to participation is discussed. (BJV)

To apply the participative model successfully, school administrators and supervisors must adopt a new management and supervisory style; teachers must be convinced of administrative commitment; and the principal must wholeheartedly support the program. This article describes a New York City high school's creation of a collaborative supervision…

Some principals are threatened by school-based management. School systems adopting school-based management should have a training program for principals and limit initial involvement to those principals who are attracted to increased autonomy and control over their schools' budgets. (MLF)

The article looks at issues of implementing the curriculum development process for gifted learners as it has been implemented in Gary, Indiana. Implementation is seen as an ongoing part of staff development, monitoring, and evaluation. Elements of success such as teacher involvement in decision making are identified. (DB)

The attitudes of six principals serving in shared decision-making (SDM) high schools toward SDM were studied. Although three supported SDM as a vehicle for improving education, the others supported it for its own sake, to democratize schools. Problems in instituting the reforms in these schools are discussed. (SLD)

Explores how nine U.S. schools participating in a project to create empowered schools defined empowerment, structured the change process, and transformed school culture. Participating schools fell into three categories (the opportunity school, the shifter school, and the no-go school) regarding their success in changing school culture, creation of…

The participative model of institutional budgeting is compared briefly with two other common models, and its rationale is discussed. An explanation of nine basic principles of participative budgeting uses examples from a variety of colleges and universities, and concludes with the author's reflections on the approach, based on his experience. (MSE)

Describes a multiyear formative evaluation of six Florida schools involved in the Shared Decision Making and Restructuring Project, highlighting one school's successful efforts. Ethnographic and interview data were used to examine work histories, verify achievements, and identify stumbling blocks. The successful school had a well-defined core…