A Texas middle school in a time of restructuring : a naturalistic study /
As the 21st century loomed on the horizon, the middle school reform effort continued to remain the largest and most comprehensive movement of organizational and curricular change in the history of American public schooling. More than three decades of effort had been devoted to reforming middle-leve...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=737690911&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | As the 21st century loomed on the horizon, the middle school reform effort continued to remain the largest and most comprehensive movement of organizational and curricular change in the history of American public schooling. More than three decades of effort had been devoted to reforming middle-level schools, but too often the essential elements and desired characteristics of restructured middle schools had been implemented, and little change had occurred. Many middle-level schools in the state of Texas had restructured to implement the practices reflected through these reform efforts and some schools experienced more success than others. The purpose of this naturalistic study was to examine Smith Middle School, which was "caught up" in the restructuring process, as the result of a district mandate, as well as the aura of the movement. With the researcher as well as the aura of the movement. With the researcher x information was collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, prolonged engagement, persistent observations, and referential data from school records. The complex web of factors that enabled a school to successfully implement the practices that had been deemed effective for middle schools began to emerge through the observations, interviews, and surveys. One theme, derived from the ongoing data collection and analysis, was that the factors that determine the successful restructuring of a middle school are complex, but rely heavily on leadership and climate, as well as the change process. The second theme that emerged was that success in restructuring was not determined by structural and organizational change alone, but rather by systemic change. As a result of this study, the researcher recommended that Smith Middle School examine the restructuring process in a holistic manner, while looking at all the interlocking pieces that lead to successful change; therefore, they could then move in a synergistic fashion toward their vision and goals. They needed to recognize their strengths, grow from their weaknesses, and realize they could not restructure the campus piece by piece, or program by program, because that would only lead to failed efforts at reform. As a result, they would risk their last best chance to turn adolescents around to become productive and contributing members of society. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Educational Administration". |
| Physical Description: | x, 127 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 123-126. |