Approximately 600 teachers in 32 public elementary schools and secondary schools from 1 urban southeastern school district participated in a study conducted to identify prototypes of school climate concerning decisional participation cultures. A 19-item decisional participation measure was used, and the median score of the teachers at each school…

Findings of a study that examined the effect of school restructuring, particularly increased teacher participative decision-making, on classroom teaching practices are presented in this paper. Data were derived from: (1) classroom observations of 33 elementary and senior high schools, which matched pilot with nonpilot schools, and (2) a…

Explores the assumption that teachers want to participate in schoolwide decision making by constructing a typology of teachers. Characterizes four types of teachers: empowered, disenfranchised, involved (those that do not want to participate, but do), and disengaged. Analysis of teachers' differences and similarities on demographic and attitudinal…

Descriptive statements of evaluation practices by principals were studied concerning normative expectations and J. Dewey's general logic of experience. Focus was on describing what principals think and do in terms of evaluation as a step toward bringing evaluation specialists and educational practitioners into a closer working relationship. Four…

Several techniques for conducting studies of measurement integrity are explained and illustrated using a heuristic data set from a study of teachers' participation in decision making (D. L. Taylor, 1991). The sample consisted of 637 teachers. It is emphasized that validity and reliability are characteristics of data, and do not inure to tests as…

Findings of a study that examined the working conditions that teachers face in an urban school district in the southern United States are presented in this paper. A survey mailed to 1,329 teachers in 15 secondary and 68 elementary schools produced an approximate 50 percent response rate per school. Interviews were also conducted with the union…

A study was done of recent district-initiated reform movements by analyzing different belief systems regarding schools and reform and by applying the analysis to a study of a district widely known for its leading role in implementing reforms. Belief System I is consistent with traditional organizational theory and top-down management. Belief…

This study was conducted in Dade County, Florida, school district that has been involved in the restructuring movement since 1987. In the mid-1980's the district piloted a school-based-management program, aimed, in part at increasing teachers' decisional participation. The sample was chosen from 14 elementary and 2 senior high pilot schools and 14…

A matrix of characteristics associated with transformational leadership and with high reliability organizations was developed. Using the matrix as a lens, researchers examined a successful school involved in a school improvement effort to understand the success more fully. Transformational leaders provide opportunities for personal growth for…

Findings are presented from a study of teachers' participation in decision making. Data from 637 teachers in a large and restructuring metropolitan district indicate that participation did not improve outcomes for teachers or students and that teachers did not feel sufficiently involved. (SLD)

Attempts to demonstrate how the general logic of experience of J. Dewey helps explain the epistemological underpinnings of the evaluative perceptions and professional judgments of six principals. Descriptive statements of these principals reflect normative expectations and structural constraints combined with idiosyncrasies and discretionary…

This collection of papers explores federal, state, and local efforts across the United States to ensure that all students have equal and equitable educational opportunities. The book begins with an introduction, "Title I Schoolwide Programs: Examining Evidence from the Field" (Dianne L. Taylor and Elizabeth A. Kemper). Section 1,…

Reports results of two separate but related studies: The first involves the use of a rubric to evaluate improvement plans from low-performing schools; the second involves a sample of teacher and administrator perceptions of their involvement in improvement planning. Finds poor-quality plans in evaluation study to be related to teacher-involvement…