Missing in curriculum revision/school restructuring links is a curriculum paradigm that incorporates reflective intelligence while promoting social and utilitarian responsibilities. The "social-reconstructive wedge" model described in this article addresses this paradoxical issue by treating the school system as a social system where constituents…

Seven basic questions related to basic organizational questions and issues are presented together with a matrix for analyzing the responses in terms of comfort zone feelings and reactions based on past experiences. It is suggested that the matrix entries can be used to begin a dialog among organizational partners concerning their openness to…

Describes some of the new roles and challenges librarians face with the development of new information technologies such as computer networks and document delivery systems. It is argued that librarians will increasingly fill the role of information intermediary as patrons take advantage of end-user systems. (12 references) (LAE)

Fear frequently underlies confusion about shared decision making. Participative decision makers do agree on three basics: focus on improving school effectiveness by involving teachers and parents; need for school teams or councils charged with decision-making authority over certain issues; and a process to improve overall decision-making quality…

Site-based management can be effective way to empower teachers and communities to improve schools. Success will ensue only by involving entire staff in change process, realigning power structure, and using time effectively. Third goal can be accomplished by rearranging school day to allow morning teacher meetings and 10:00-4:00 student attendance…

An Illinois elementary school principal realized that the district's "yellow tablet" teacher-evaluation system was not working. In lieu of observations by the principal, teachers agreed to visit one another, sometimes in teams, and the principal volunteered to substitute for observing teachers. The new process demolished barriers between…

Special education faces three tasks created by pressures toward change: (1) keeping the issue of physical place in perspective, (2) choosing idea over image, and (3) avoiding fanaticism. Achievement of substantive reform calls for disaggregating special education populations, elaborating conceptual foundations, and strengthening the empirical…

There are three critical attributes of genuine outcome-based learning systems: coherence, congruence, and commitment to student success. Preliminary results from three pioneering school districts show improved student performance on standardized and criterion-referenced tests. Educators will be challenged to develop a shared vision of the…

With administrative support, guidance from Georgia Southern University's middle-grades program, and much hard work, teachers at a rural Georgia elementary school (K-7) have fashioned a developmentally appropriate middle-grades program. The results are greater middle-grade/high school articulation, an exploratory curriculum, differentiated student…

Examines how principals manage in situations that defy conventional administrative authority and methods. Fully 80% of the 30 Pennsylvania high school principals interviewed admitted using at least 1 micropolitical strategy, such as exchange theory, divide and conquer, information control, cooptation, displacement, and discretionary behavior. Most…

Explores the development of a support group for elementary school teachers who wished to increase their expertise in drama education. Shows that change is a slow process, but with continuing support from peers and perceived experts, teachers can change both their beliefs about drama education and their strategies in teaching drama. (SR)

The president of the Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) describes her views of organizational change and continuity. Issues faced by AECT are listed. Steps to provide AECT with the image, vitality, and foundation of the primary organization for professionals in the field and the decisions related to achieving that goal…

Discusses trends toward constant economic and technological change, ways in which increased access to information may affect our sense of community, and implications for the survival of small towns. Lists strategies for effecting positive community change. Discusses ways to build "lovable" communities, local economies, and communitywide…

Educators possess a wealth of understanding and experience that can help colleagues deal with heavy work pressures more effectively within the framework of a whole school policy for stress management. The coping strategies discussed embrace a wide range of skills, knowledge, techniques, relationships, thoughts, and activities that may be…

Although recent research has explored management/curriculum relationships, few studies have analyzed the rationality guiding the management of change. This case study analyzes the rationality of managers of an innovative curriculum in Queensland, Australia. The dominant form of rationality was bureaucratic and was related to rational and corporate…