ite-Based Management: Definition and Characteristics
Giles (1995) has defined site-based management in schools as a management strategy in which responsibility for strategic planning has been delegated from local education authorities to individual schools. In most of the literature, site-based management is referred to as a method of school reform or restructuring.
Chion-Kenney and Hymes (1994) examined the situations in which school-based management has worked and, conversely, those in which it failed to meet expectations. Based on information obtained from interviews with researchers and practitioners, a review of literature, and a 1993 survey of administrators, the authors formulated a series of characteristics said to typify site-based management.
(1) Site-based management is about embracing a new mindset about authority and responsibility in schools.
(2) Authentic and effective site-based management results from negotiating certain trends and issues as they apply to specific school settings and situations.
(3) There is no one model or best way.
(4) Important criteria for determining school readiness for site-based management include commitment, attitude, purpose, action, leadership, readiness, character, and steadfastness.
(5) Site-based management may not be appropriate in some situations.
(6) Site-based management has a rich heritage in that it is a model of responsibility/authority that has been used in many schools and refined in a variety of different ways.
(7) Site-based management could result in changing the status quo.
Gaul (1994) provides some data on the frequency with which site-based management may be implemented in American schools. In this regard, Gaul sent survey forms to 6,000 school board members who subscribe to "The American School Board Journal." A total of 1,347 readers (22.5 percent) responded. Curricular and instructional reforms were cited by 91 percent o...