School Decentralization in New York City 1975 [and] Detroit's Experience with School Decentralization / Diane Ravitch and William R. Grant.

The 15-year effort to decentralize New York City public schools and thereby implement basic changes in the school system is briefly sketched in this study. The structure of the school system, powers of local boards, central board, and chancellor, school board elections, keeping the public informed, educational impact, and effect on truancy and crime are among the issues discussed. Structural change is found not to go to the root of most serious school problems which appear to be basically social and economic in nature. Although decentralization in New York City has created new job opportunities for minorities and brought control of schools closer to the community, it is considered not to have affected quality of education in schools. Likewise, Detroit's efforts toward decentralization are described. Intended as political rather than educational reform, decentralization here has produced a grass-roots school board, and it has involved more people in school affairs. Yet significant reforms in the schools are seen not to exist, and a new structure that includes both the management and political skills of the city's top leaders and the knowledge and vitality of the neighborhood representatives is urged. (Author/AM)

Neighborhood Decentralization, p1-8 May-Jun 1975. ericd

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.