This book is about the work of teachers in American secondary schools. It addresses the character of teaching as a job, teachers as workers, and schools as workplaces. The book's objective is to reexamine the character of schools as organizations and the implications for those working within these organizations. It draws on research from the field of organizational theory; the larger study of organizations, occupations, and work; and the author's own research into school reform and teaching. An introductory chapter provides background, definitions, and focus, and describes briefly the research. Chapter 2 reviews how the organization of schools has become an important problem and unresolved puzzle for those who study organizations and occupations. Chapter 3 presents a range of data to establish the distribution of decision-making influences within schools. Chapters 4 and 5 examine the mechanisms and processes by which schools hold teachers accountable and control the work of teachers. Chapter 6 discusses what effect organizational centralization and decentralization have on how well schools function. The concluding chapter summarizes the findings of the book. Supplementing the text are 8 tables, 10 figures, and copious endnotes. Appended are details of the author's research strategies, instruments, analyses, an index, and 27 pages of references. (WFA)