This paper establishes the context of moves by school districts to install school program-planning activities in the local school site, and traces the implications of greater decision-making authority at the local school on (1) the overall organization and governance of schooling, and (2) the viability of these activities at the local school level. Major necessary strategies are suggested to improve schools as organizations before school personnel can engage productively in program-planning and other forms of school decision-making. (Author/MLF)