Decentralized Decision-making in Schools


Book Description

An increasing number of developing countries are introducing School-Based Management (SBM) reforms aimed at empowering principals and teachers or at strengthening their professional motivation, thereby enhancing their sense of ownership of the school. Many of these reforms have also strengthened parental involvement in the schools, sometimes by means of school councils. SBM programs take many different forms in terms of who has the power to make decisions as well as the degree of ecision-making devolved to the school level. While some programs transfer authority only to school principals or te.




School-based Decision-making and Management


Book Description

School-based management refers to a form of educational administration in which the school becomes the primary unit for decision-making. The book is structured into five parts. In part 1, international developments in school-based decision-making and management are documented and analyzed. Described are developments in Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (England and Wales), and the United States. In part 2, theoretical perspectives are offered examining the broad economic and political dynamics that have contributed to the use of school-based decision-making and management as an administrative study. These are complemented by perspectives in practice in part 3 that address other responsibilities of people at the school level. Part 4 contains the findings of research conducted in school systems that have moved toward school-based decision-making. Part 5 contains an analysis of school-based decision-making and management based on the contents of this book and a discussion of future prospects in the field. The 16 chapters are made up of contributions from an array of leading international experts in the field of educational studies. It is written from a wide range of perspectives from educational disciplines to organizational application. (RR)




School-based Decision-making and Management


Book Description

This work shows the kind of research now being undertaken in leading educational institutions regarding the implementation of local school management policies. It shows that the introduction of these policies is by no means as simple or easy as its proponents believe. The book presents comments, conclusions and suggestions which require serious consideration if local management policies are to be sensibly undertaken. It is aimed at policy-makers, administrators, teachers, community leaders, parents and all those involved in the education service.




Data-based Decision Making in Education


Book Description

In a context where schools are held more and more accountable for the education they provide, data-based decision making has become increasingly important. This book brings together scholars from several countries to examine data-based decision making. Data-based decision making in this book refers to making decisions based on a broad range of evidence, such as scores on students’ assessments, classroom observations etc. This book supports policy-makers, people working with schools, researchers and school leaders and teachers in the use of data, by bringing together the current research conducted on data use across multiple countries into a single volume. Some of these studies are ‘best practice’ studies, where effective data use has led to improvements in student learning. Others provide insight into challenges in both policy and practice environments. Each of them draws on research and literature in the field.




Transforming Teaching and Learning Through Data-Driven Decision Making


Book Description

"Gathering data and using it to inform instruction is a requirement for many schools, yet educators are not necessarily formally trained in how to do it. This book helps bridge the gap between classroom practice and the principles of educational psychology. Teachers will find cutting-edge advances in research and theory on human learning and teaching in an easily understood and transferable format. The text's integrated model shows teachers, school leaders, and district administrators how to establish a data culture and transform quantitative and qualitative data into actionable knowledge based on: assessment; statistics; instructional and differentiated psychology; classroom management."--Publisher's description.







School Based Management


Book Description

This book presents guidelines for implementing school-based management practices. Chapter 1 describes the growing interest in and rationale for school-based management (SBM). The second chapter discusses essential characteristics of good schools, and the third chapter describes 13 elements necessary for effective SBM. Pros and cons of SBM are discussed in chapter 4. Chapters 5 and 6 examine necessary organizational elements and participants' roles and responsibilities. Chapter 7 offers suggestions for initiating the process, and chapter 8 offers guidelines for developing the school-site committee and identifying its role. The ninth chapter discusses how to develop the school plan and the school budget. Chapter 10 deals with two main questions: (1) How much of the school system budget will be set aside for the schools? and (2) How will funds be allocated to the schools? Several sample budgets are included. Guidelines for beginning a pilot SBM program are provided in the 11th chapter. Ways in which the effects of SBM on student learning and employees can be evaluated are described in chapter 12. Chapter 13 lists common mistakes to avoid. The final chapter contains a list of dos and don'ts. The appendix contains a sample survey for determining the extent to which SBM is practiced in a school system. (Contains 95 references.) (LMI).




Training for Quality School-based Decision Making


Book Description

With expert information and guidance from these knowledgeable authors, principals and school personnel can gain a clear understanding of school-based decision making and learn how to work collaboratively to build quality teams to manage a school. Following the TTS Model, each chapter teaches the reader how to successfully engage in school-based decision making and includes activities to help readers to develop skills, not just read about the subject. A comprehensive bibliography, parts of which are annotated, in the areas of school-based decision making, empowerment, and total quality management augments the text making this an ideal resource for school committees, site councils, consultants, and staff developers.




Statistics Made Simple for School Leaders


Book Description

The chief executive officer of a corporation is not much different from a public school administrator. While CEOs base many of their decisions on data, for school administrators, this type of research may conjure up miserable memories of searching for information to meet a graduate school requirement. However, the value of data-based decision making will continue to escalate and the school community—students, teachers, parents and the general public—expect this information to come from their administrators. Administrators are called on to be accountable, but few are capable of presenting the mountain of data that they collect in a cohesive and strategic manner. Most statistical books are focused on statistical theory versus application, but Statistics Made Simple for School Leaders presents statistics in a simple, practical, conceptual, and immediately applicable manner. It enables administrators to take their data and manage it into strategic information so the results can be used for action plans that benefit the school system. The approach is 'user friendly' and leaves the reader with a confident can-do attitude to communicate results and plans to staff and the community.




Transformational Leadership & Decision Making in Schools


Book Description

"Public education is constantly evolving, and new challenges require school officials to be insightful, prepared, and innovative. It is because of these changing times that this book, which offers a different view of systems analysis and organizational behavior, is so valuable." —Frank Bush, Executive Director Indiana School Boards Association "Educational leaders need a basis for confident decision making. The authors have a solution for challenging times." —Kay Harmless, Interim Director, Indiana Principal Leadership Academy Indiana Department of Education What decisions are in the best interest of students, teachers, staff, and others in your school community? It is essential for every school leader to possess the savvy to effect positive change, raise achievement levels, and foster a positive school climate. Now it seems that the struggle for school leaders to make productive decisions has become clouded with ever-growing uncertainty and skepticism. Transformational Leadership & Decision Making in Schools emphasizes the need for a resilient decision-making pedagogy—one that helps school leaders find and re-center their approaches to making effective decisions for their schools and districts. This important resource provides methods and strategies to tackle tough decisions, providing concise step-by-step considerations to transform your decision making. The essential information presented includes: A personal decision-making self-assessment Reflective thinking sections for individual reflection and group dialogue Discussion of the role of vision and mission Ideas on motivation and the capacity for change A look at barriers to decision making Information on developing relationships with respect and rapport