Recent work integrating Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) with Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) forms a basis for systematizing action research in higher education. This basis strengthens what are often otherwise its methodological weaknesses, namely, the disconnection between analysis and subsequent plans for action and the…

Often when total quality management (TQM) does not live up to expectations, that failure is a sign that implementation of TQM was simply fashionable "management hype" or "window dressing" without strong organizational underpinnings. TQM can have staying power when it is backed up by leadership basics of training people…

This book applies "new science"--the discoveries and hypotheses in biology, chemistry, and physics that challenge fundamental world views--to organizational change. The focus is on new ways about thinking about organizations. The introduction and chapter 1 introduce three branches of science and their contributions to understanding--quantum…

School leaders have begun to understand that "change is a process." Leaders must facilitate change, not merely disseminate or direct it. This publication presents findings of the Leadership for Change Project (LFC). The LFC studied six sites at different stages of the school-improvement process, including two "developmental" sites in Arkansas and…

This book was designed to help readers assess their knowledge of school-based management (SBM) and to help school districts determine the extent to which they are engaged in SBM. Chapter 1 is comprised of samples of four exams that were derived from graduate courses on school-based management. The correct answers follow each exam. Chapter 2…

This two-part report outlines advice on functioning as a leader during periods of change, examining such topics as the change process, failure of reforms, and issues of self. The first section begins by stating "Five Principles" for managing change, including: (1) identify the adaptive challenge; (2) regulate distress; and (3) direct…

This paper describes the Skovde Project to be implemented in day care centers in Skovde, Sweden. The purpose of this project is to identify the current quality of care in day care centers and to examine the impact of upcoming decentralized organization of the centers and a more flexible child care levy system on the effectiveness of resource use…

Issues in restructuring education for meeting the needs of at-risk students are discussed in this paper. The six goals of restructuring are: (1) reduce the number of drop outs; (2) raise the level of achievement for all; (3) have business and education work together; (4) create schools which incorporate both social and educational services; (5)…

Rapid social change in American society calls for a flexible, self-correcting educational system. The view that achievement of such a system requires major changes in the organization and delivery of educational services and a redefinition of the entire system is examined in this educational policy bulletin. Highlights of reform research are…

The premise of this book about the new role of the principalship is that the educational system fosters principals' dependency. Effective school administration is based on empowerment and collaboration. This book examines the problem of dependency and how to overcome it. Section 1 describes the nonrational world of the principal, challenges to the…

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) was an extremely popular organization among black women. During this time the YWCA enjoyed a reputation as a leader in interracial affairs. Internally, however, the structure of the YWCA protected the prevailing racial status quo. Black women were served…

Findings from a study that examined the role of the principal and effects of the principal's change facilitator style (CFS) on the institutionalization of intervention programs are presented in this paper. Subjects were 13 principals involved in Project Link, a Pennsylvania-granted collaborative project to train prereferral child study teams.…

Strategies for utilizing educational corporate culture to create a quality school are presented in this paper, which argues that the understanding of the shared belief system of organizational members is crucial to the process. Creating a quality school entails moving from a "teach the process" oriented model to one that internalizes the…

A study examined the influence of differences in school district organization on internal school organizational processes that are central to reform strategies, such as teacher cooperation and instructional leadership. Data were obtained from interviews conducted with the principals of 98 Tennessee elementary schools that participated in the…

This paper argues that public education, as a contemporary industry, is more like business than any other organization. The traditional view of education defines the student as customer, the teacher as worker, teaching and learning as the products, and school boards as overly influential. An alternative paradigm is presented that defines school…