Date of Award
1-6-1992
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Dr. Ron Newell
Abstract
The educational reform movement, which began in the late 1980's, called for increased parental/community involvement in site-based, decision-making. Many prestigious reports indicated that the inclusion of parents and other educational stakeholders in this process enhanced the public's ownership of educational problems while enlisting them in finding new solutions. Despite the calls for increased parental, business, and community member participation, few, if any models, existed toward accomplishing this task. This report provides insights into the development and implementation of a feeder pattern organizational model. The outcome of these experiences and research led to a best practices manual. The manual outlines the key concepts which school districts should consider for a successful implementation of the feeder pattern organization model. Issues of control, power, Council membership and orientation are discussed. The manual also provides several examples of activities which were actually implemented in the Dade County School System during this project. As a result of the practicum intervention, school districts had a manual which provided a model for greater community involvement in local school decision-making. Additionally, this practicum provided several insights as to what to avoid in such a restructuring effort. The manual, upon district approval, will be forwarded to the State of Florida's Department of Education for possible disbursement.