. I suspect that for too long we have viewed schools as
>organisations; hence the tension that is created when we attempt to apply
>business models to schools.
If we think of schools as a system. With Teachers as educators, pupils
(and parents?) as consumers, Principals and administrators as the managers
of the enterprise, Boards of Trustees (NZ model - do you have these?) as
operational overseers, the School Education Department as policy
provider/standard setter and funder: Then we can consider the school as an
organisation, a business within this wider system. The business questions,
what is our purpose, what experiences do we want to create for our
clients, what outcomes are we seeking, do we want to operate at a loss,
what products do we want to offer, to what standards, and who are the
clients groups we wish to provide services for become questions for
consideration. I think the tension comes from responding to these
questions, particularly if we believe education should be provided by
government - federal or state.
In considering 'community', are you thinking of the nature of the culture
of the organisation and the consultation and desicion processes between
the players within the system, or are you thinking of the community the
school is placed within?
-- dianaj@central.co.nz (Diana Jones)