This paper describes ways that administrators can empower teachers and build strong, effective teams in a school. It opens by defining power and explains that traditional organizational hierarchical structures tend to motivate people to use power in self-protective ways. It claims that for empowerment to work, leaders must help people use their…

This article analyzes a study that examined Georgia charter-school teachers' and principals' perceptions of the ideal and actual practices in eight key areas of shared decision making: budgeting, curriculum/instruction, facilitating procedures, goals/visions/mission, operations, staffing, staff development, standards, and their overall impressions…

Investigated the impact on individual attitudes of participation in important pay decisions. A merit pay plan was participatively designed in a professional engineering organization (N=380). Using objective and subjective measures, participation predicted increases in understanding and commitment to the new pay plan, organizational involvement,…

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville needed something that would stimulate a mode of analysis and planning. The answer was something called a "Productivity Level Audit Through the Master Profile" (PLATT MAP). It grew from a sheet of paper to a gigantic display of data about the state of the campus (MLW)

Faculty at an Australian college were surveyed on their participation in and satisfaction with their staff association. Measures of active and passive participation were highly intercorrelated, as were levels of satisfaction with the association's performance. Statistical analyses explore possible determinants of participation and satisfaction.…

It is argued that there is little evidence in higher education of: participatory management with academic departments the equivalent of quality circles; tenure systems similar to Japanese lifetime employment; collegiate mission statements comparable to superordinate goals; and a democratic leadership style close to the interdependent style favored…

Teachers of emotionally disabled students in three states were surveyed to determine the availability and usefulness of information at the time of placement and reintegration of students. Implications for the collection of assessment information by school psychologists and other multidisciplinary team members are discussed. (Author/PN)

Studied the implications of being involved in either the design of changes or the application of a Quality of Work Life (QWL) change for four aspects of experienced influence. Results indicated the people who experienced the most increase in influence were those who helped design the change. (Author/RC)

The 18 junior high school teachers at the Ironwood School in Phoenix (Arizona) meet once a week as a team to engage in mutual planning, problem solving, and decision making. The team concept's success is owed to the active support of the school's administration. (PGD)

Successful management of an American school--like the operation of a Japanese industry--involves long-term development of personnel, trust between workers, participative decision making, and a shared philosophy. (Author)

Successful in Japan and in American industry, quality circles are a specific way to involve staff members in solving organization problems. A growing number of school administrators are examining this technique to see if it can reduce the costs of education and improve morale. (Author/JM)

Political obstacles to curriculum changes can be avoided by inviting participation by curriculum specialists, teachers, parents, and other citizens in the decision-making process. (Author/MLF)

Describes the use of participative action research to solve problems of work-related employee injuries in a rural midwestern electronics plant by increasing employee involvement. The researchers established an employee problem-solving group that interviewed and surveyed workers, analyzed the results, and suggested new work arrangements. (Author/RW)

Describes a new method of resolving conflicts, called "collective gaining," that has been implemented in the Forest Park (Illinois) public school system. The method encourages teachers, administrators, and school board members to work together to benefit all parties concerned. (Author/WD)

A fundamental assumption that bureaucratic, collegial, and political models of administration are independent and distinct is challenged, and process and structure within higher education institutions are differentiated as they describe role and power relationships and lines of authority. Survey results are cited as evidence and implications are…