ERIC ED159797: Efficiency in the Administration of pdf

ERIC ED159797: Efficiency in the Administration of

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Description of the Book:

Although efficiency in education has been a long-standing concern, school districts are not rationally or scientifically managed or run in a businesslike manner. Yet this lack of efficiency may not be the result of poor management by school district administrators. School district managers are forced to respond quickly to an ever-changing melange of requirements and programs, have virtually no real authority to make basic personnel decisions, and have no incentives for acting efficiently. For instance, districts are often required to discharge or promote personnel without reference to merit criteria. Administrator promotions are sometimes based on certification rather than qualities or contributions. Teachers are often forced to allocate instructional time to noninstructional activities like test administration and filling out forms. Finally, seniority rights and state-level retirement systems often force school districts to retain expensive staff. Thus, the cause of school district inefficiency may be found in state agencies that legislate what districts are to do.

There will be little improvement in school district efficiency until state officials give district-level administrators significant discretionary authority. The greatest potential for improvement in public education today may be found at the state level. (Author/JM

• Creator/s: ERIC
• Date: 1978
• Year: 1978
• Book Topics/Themes: ERIC Archive, Cost Effectiveness, Educational Administration, Efficiency, Elementary Secondary Education, Productivity, School District Autonomy, School Districts, State School District Relationship

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