THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ACTION, THE STATE OF KANSAS REDUCED ITS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM 1500 TO 349 IN A SINGLE YEAR. INITIALLY IN 1896 THERE WERE 9,284 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MOST OF THEM ONE TEACHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THEY BECAME COMMUNITY CENTERS AND ALTHOUGH OUTMODED IN PRACTICALITY FOR EFFECTIVE AND ECONOMICAL EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES, THERE REMAINED…

A SPECIAL COMMITTEE INVESTIGATED EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS IN BALTIMORE RELATED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE INNER CITY. OBSERVATIONS WERE MADE AT 24 SCHOOLS IN THE INNER CITY, THE OUTER EDGES OF THE CITY, AND THE INTERMEDIATE AREAS. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS WERE ROOTED IN THE SLUMS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF PUPILS ARE NEGRO, TEACHERS ARE UNDERPAID, BUILDINGS ARE…

The frequency of evaluation across organizational levels (i.e., evaluation of inferiors by superiors) is related to three variables: the existence of bureaucratic rules, availability of information across levels, and interaction among participants. In a processual perspective, as opposed to a structural one, evaluation is viewed as a key mechanism…

The school superintendent describes the process of integration in the White Plains, New York, schools and reports on some findings of a before and after study of achievement. The racial balance plan, achieved by busing inner city Negro children to formerly all-white schools, has not had an adverse effect on the academic achievement of white…

Power, or influence, in educational governance is increasingly becoming diffused. Everyone in education now feels relatively powerless. A political model of decision-making, emphasizing consultation with representatives of interest groups is now appropriate. In this model, the school board functions as "meta-mediator." This modifies the…

This study focused on the factors in negotiations that cause impasse. The major hypothesis, "There is a significant difference in the perceptions of school board members and teacher executive leadership regarding impasse factors," was upheld. Data were collected from board members, administrators, teacher association officials, and negotiators…

This study compares patterns of resource allocation in school districts with different enrollment experiences ranging from substantial growth to substantial decline. In general, the study focuses on examination of the "parameters of adjustment" of public school systems with varying growth histories. Colorado was selected because some of…

Loyal policy support depends not only on an employee's knowledge of the form and structure of the institution, but also on his ability to influence its operations and goals. If there is ample opportunity for an employee to present his ideas and these ideas are put into action, he is more apt to feel like an integral participant in the district.…

In an attempt to provide information about the best strategies for effecting change, data were collected from 65 school board members, 16 superintendents, 16 principals, and 358 teachers in 16 southern California school districts. Two scales to measure the dependent variable, rate of adoption of educational innovations, were developed--one to…

Attitudes of the superintendents and school board officials of 25 major cities concerning the operation of their schools were determined. In lengthy discussions, these officials observed that big city schools need massive financial assistance from State and Federal governments, since the local property tax as a base is inadequate, and because the…

This report is part of the Florida Department of Education, Title III, ESEA, Educational Needs Assessment study and deals exclusively with information and data collected from questionnaires administered to a sample of seven educationally relevant subpopulations within the State. These subpopulations included students, teachers, principals,…

The primary responsibility of school board members has always been the development of the policies that govern the school district. If these policies are to properly address the actual needs of the school district they must be based on an accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the issue confronting the district. This handbook is designed first to…

Presents six charts dealing with the following information: 1978 and 1985 profiles of school board members; four key areas of conflict between school boards and superintendents; comparative salaries of school administrators; increases in administrator salaries; public opinion of school administrators; and increases in school construction…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Senate Committee Provides $3.2 Billion Increase for Education Programs: Final Budget Not Expected Until After…

The leadership turnover in America's largest school districts has increased so rapidly that the average urban superintendent tenure is only about two years. In fact, many urban superintendents are hired knowing that they will either be terminated or forced to resign in a short period of time. This cycle has created a class of superintendents who…