This paper presents the idea of formal neighborhood government as a beginning to discussion and debate. Only by clearing away the confusion over what changes are being asked for by the proponents of decentralization can the neighborhood government movement be placed in historical perspective. The justification for neighborhood government,…

This paper attempts to provide a broad theoretical framework for understanding planning in organizations and other social systems; and it identifies the key conditions, processes, and structures of social systems in the planning concept. While other frameworks exist that detail singular aspects of planning as it actually occurs and describe…

One of the most frequently-voiced concerns in the growing debate over education finance reform involves the issue of autonomy of local school groups. Academics, school district superintendents, legislators, parents' groups, and teachers have all expressed the view that increased State aid to education inevitably will bring Statewide regulations…

This paper deals with school system size from the standpoint of costs and community involvement. The first section describes findings of recent studies in Oregon, British Columbia, and Manitoba, regarding the relationship between administrative component size and that of the school system, and the relationship between school system size and unit…

Eighty-eight of the State's school districts were surveyed to discover (1) the reasons that prompted district school boards to organize a middle school, and (2) the characteristics of middle schools implemented in the Pennsylvania middle schools. The response to the study revealed that the reasons for initiating a middle school are…

The Delphi technique is a questionnaire method for organizing and shaping opinion through feedback. Although Delphi was originally intended as a tool for scientific and technological forecasting, its more promising educational application appears to be as (1) a method for studying the process of thinking about the future, (2) a pedagogical or…

As a solution to the problem of disseminating information from research and development projects into the field, this project examined a number of diffusion models, developed the Omnibus Model, and tested it. The Omnibus Model consists of eight different action blocks. First, information is acquired both selectively and non-selectively, and then…

Defining rural youth as the 14-25 age group (literate or illiterate and employed or unemployed) and as residents of localities with less than 5,000 people, this paper addresses Ghanaian rural youth and its relationship to: the total population; youth policy and organizations; rural-urban differences; and societal improvements. Major points of…

This report summarizes, and gives a full report, of a feasibility study involving a discussion of problems and issues related to occupational and professional regulation that took place during four regional conferences attended by nearly 100 officials from 30 states. Participants included state legislators, licensing administrators, attorneys…

This handbook is concerned with one specialized form of participation: participatory planning. It is based on several years of experience in participatory planning and is infused with the bias that sees a great deal of potential good in expanded participation in general and in participatory planning in particular. It is also recognized that…

One aspect of the role and responsibilities of education councils in Australia is addressed in this paper: that of the council and its accountability to the community. Three major sections are presented. Part One discusses the two difficult concepts of accountability and community. The second part presents some data on how council members appear…

In producing programs and establishing policy criteria for the institutional church in rural Canada, planners must deal with community groups or types in order to maximize the transferability of programs and policies. This paper discusses a two-dimensional typology (social context and social position) based on the belief that there is a real…

This booklet is one of a series of reports addressing the most critical issues confronting state boards of education throughout the United States. Each report attempts to present a concise, informative review and analysis of the best and most current information available on one of these critical topics. This booklet focuses on improving…

The contents of this book divide into three parts: (1) theory; (2) education; and (3) planning. The first part of the book considers a number of broad related issues in work and leisure. The term "theory" is used in a broad sense and encompasses philosophical as well as empirically based views and models of the nature of man, work, and leisure.…

The purposes of this guide are to familiarize K-12 administrators with the concept of career education and to provide suggestions for planning and developing a career development program in a local school. It outlines a practical strategy for getting career development adopted and implemented at the local level. Topics covered are as follows: Need…