Using telephone survey data from National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers representatives and information from official union publications and research reports, this article summarizes AFT and NEA perspectives on shared governance and administrator education programs in light of school restructuring efforts. The central…

Describes Indiana University's Teacher as Decision Maker Program, a graduate-level teacher education program offering middle/secondary school certification plus a master's degree. It serves individuals making career changes and is based on research in teacher education. Its theoretical framework integrates pedagogical schemata, professional…

Contends that teachers have an obligation to select classroom management strategies that help students develop skills for responsible citizenship. Asserts that involving students in participative decision making is essential to this process. Provides four guidelines and 17 subguidelines derived from classroom management research. (CFR)

Examines possible gender-related criteria for "good schools": (1) How far can schools counteract stereotypes of sex-role specific behavior? (2) How far do developments integrating parents take account of necessary changes in traditional gender-specific role patterns? (3) How do schools ensure equal participation by male and female…

A survey of 127 rural Kentucky school councils found that more parent members than teacher members held positive views about their school-council performance, and more teacher members than principals had such opinions. Members indicated main benefits to the school from council performance and main problems faced by school councils. Contains 22…

Instead of inviting public engagement, the current educational system reinforces a hierarchical, bureaucratic pattern that gives neither students nor parents an official voice. Today's parents are demanding, more market-oriented, and organizing on the Internet. Strategies for fully involving parents in improvements for the common good are…

Orem (Utah) High School is a suburban, predominantly white high school that consciously strives to create a welcoming atmosphere, where students are treated with respect, programs are varied and innovative, and fun and participative decision making are highly valued. The school's participation in the National Network for Educational Renewal has…

In Austin, Texas, an urban district where more than half the students come from low-income families, the annual dropout rate has gone down, and the scores on statewide standardized tests have gone up. A key element in the turnaround is state-mandated, site-based management, a system that decentralizes decision making and involves strong leadership…

Faculties must pass through several stages when becoming learning organizations: the honeymoon, conflict, confusion, messy, scary, and mature-group stages. Mature school communities have learned to view power differently, make learning more meaningful for students, and model a just and democratic society. Consensus is the starting point. (MLH)

Participant observation and interviews were conducted to determine processes involved in person-centered transition planning with six young adults having moderate to severe mental retardation. Initial planning meetings were evaluated in terms of organization; structure; facilitation process; and participation of families, professionals, friends,…

Changes in administrative procedures can help schools achieve their goals. Principals must cultivate the necessary networking and empowerment by providing staff members with training, time to review their philosophies, and access to student data. These approaches helped a Virginia high school adopt total quality management and block scheduling.…

Presents an eighth-grade classroom where students collaborated with the teacher to decide how to designate time spent on reading, creative writing, and journal writing. Discusses needs assessment, student suggestions, choosing the solution, and implementation. A sidebar outlines student-determined writers' workshop, readers' workshop, and…

Survey of 217 Maine principals revealed that respondents perceived their staff as moderately to highly involved in decision making, viewed the community as informed but not actively involved in decision making, and desired greater involvement from staff and parents. Principal gender and school level did not affect desired levels of involvement.…

New ways of thinking about leadership require that leaders move their big desks and establish environments that encourage trust and open communication. Educational leaders must trust their colleagues to make wise choices. When teachers are treated democratically as leaders, classrooms will also become democratic learning organizations. (SM)

This interview with a school principal, Efrain Vila, argues that staff development is crucial in school reform. Teachers cannot be asked to use new processes if they do not have opportunities to learn how to use them. His school's faculty meetings always include staff development components. Parent involvement is also essential. (SM)