The purpose of this Bulletin is to clarify the intent of shared decision making (SDM) and explore its benefits, drawbacks, and implementation. It looks at how the principal's role changes in SDM, stresses the need for training, examines conditions that affect successful implementation of SDM, and offers ideas on how schools can concentrate on significant educational issues. Following the introduction, chapter 1 summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of SDM. Chapter 2 describes teachers' and administrators' concerns about SDM that must be addressed, and chapters 3 and 4 discuss aspects of the principal's new role and the need for staff preparation. The fifth chapter offers guidelines for implementation, with a focus on structure and decision making. A model for the gradual evolution of responsibility is described. Nine lessons for avoiding the pitfalls of implementation are highlighted in chapter 6. The final chapter outlines how SDM is working at sites in four different states--the Colorado Independent School District (Texas), University Elementary School (Los Angeles), Dade County (Florida), and North Eugene High School (Eugene, Oregon). Three figures and an appendix containing a partial list of SDM-training programs and resources are included. (LMI)