Recommendations are presented for a new form of school governance in British Columbia that takes into account current research on effective schools. In the model described, the provincial government provides the funding, sets the core curriculum, standards, and outcomes, ensures standardized measurement and reporting, and supports field research. School boards set district goals, distribute funds on an equitable basis, operate school facilities, implement school-based management and open enrollment plans, provide incentives for performance, and measure and report achievement results for the community. Individual schools are empowered to deliver programs enabling students to make the most rapid progress toward district and provincial goals. Elected school councils have decision-making authority, while day-to-day management is carried out by school administration. Schools control their own shares of district budget based on enrollment, with special needs funding accompanying special needs students. The implications of this policy framework, which provides for performance-based local autonomy, are discussed. These include reduced bureaucracy, redirected funding, increased integration of services, more flexibility and choice, enhanced local decision making, and improved accountability. Recommendations are made to implement these new roles and responsibilities. (Contains 15 references.) (SLD)