Reviews developmental psychology literature for its relevance for designing organizations for children and youth followed by a review of theories on the development of children's identity, social understanding, and capacity to participate. The reviews summarize what is being said about the values of youth participation in community organizations…

Shares observations made and lessons learned by the author while student teaching in a democratic classroom environment. Outlines keys to creating a democratic classroom. Discusses preparing teachers for democratic classrooms. (SR)

Vancouver (Washington) is rebuilding its entire educational infrastructure. Community involvement in the planning process for each school has created a sense of ownership, created spaces that implement good educational ideas and accommodate community activities, and given each school its own "signature." An emphasis on efficiency has…

Renovations contributed to academic improvement at an Issaquah (Washington) elementary school. Enclosing an open-air corridor enabled it to be used for educational activities. Double doors connected classrooms for team teaching, and carpet improved acoustics. A music room, library, and computer lab were also added. Student and community…

Leadership plays an important role in middle-school community members' collaborative efforts. Principals, by valuing and recognizing contributions of each teacher, staff member, student, and parent, give high visibility to the collaborative process. Principals also bolster collaboration by providing necessary support systems and helping…

A survey of 43 principals and 230 teachers in western Australia examined 3 aspects of the policy of inclusion of students with disabilities: (1) severity of teacher stress when asked to include a child with a mild intellectual disability; (2) degree of perceived teacher control over placement decisions; and (3) acceptance of the inclusion…

To maintain quality education and high morale, educational decision making must become decentralized, particularly during financially difficult times. Teachers and other educational stakeholders, rather than government or educational bureaucrats, should be asked about where and when to cut expenditures. Centralized decision making, where the few…

A school district in Spring Valley, New York, has made its move to site-based decision making. The district sent 175 administrators, teachers, parents, and community members to a two-day training session to learn how to effectively work at building consensus as team members. (MLF)

Analyzes scholarship on administrative leadership styles. Describes the writing program co-directorship model the author and a colleague developed at a Southern public university, and offers a critical analysis of both the possibilities and pitfalls of collaborative administration for untenured writing program administrators. Points out ways in…

A case study examined ways to improve schools through democratic accountability, highlighting a principal's strategies to increase staff and student expectations in a low-performing middle school in rural Florida. Results gleaned from interviews and surveys suggest that leaders must build schools' capacity for sustaining achievement. (Contains 32…

A 4-year study of 9 Ontario secondary schools examined their capacity for change. Change capacity consisted of liberation from structures that inhibit innovation, honoring cognitive dissonance, and forging new relationships. Imposing new organizational structures was less likely to perpetuate change capacity than was a commitment improvement…

In 1997, the National Education Association and the Teacher Union Reform Network urged local union affiliates to adopt a collaborative approach to negotiating with school boards and administrators. Research indicates that the cost of education in union districts is from 8-15 percent higher than in nonunion districts. Effects on student achievement…

An intergovernmental council on sustainable development in the Arctic discussed decision making, planning, protected areas, healthy communities, governance, assessment, and the role of youth. Recommendations included measuring scientific knowledge against the benchmark of traditional knowledge, establishing an Arctic university, allowing…

This study of 55 preschool children examined frequency of play and problem-solving activities, and management, collaboration, and assistance interactions as a function of relationships with teachers and peers. Findings revealed that problem solving occurs with peers and teachers; play overwhelmingly occurs with peers; management and assistance…

A long-term study in rural Alaska schools examined effects of parent involvement on student outcomes in three parental-role typologies: trust-building activities to close the school-community gap, informal parent involvement, and parent participation in school governance. The influences of stability of school conditions and socioeconomic variables…