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Educational administrators have the power to determine the nature of decision-making structures and processes within their institutions and the extent to which decisions are implemented. This paper reviews assumptions underlying decision-making structures and processes established by school administrators; examines potential individual motives within the decision arena; and notes constraints within which decision makers operate. It is argued that participation decision-making practices are not a ready-made panacea for remedying educational problems, and that an array of conscious and unconscious motives influence individuals' decision-making processes. The move to local school councils in Australia has also presented a constraint to administrative decision-making. In conclusion, the decisions that school administrators make about decision-making structures and processes should seek to meet the proposition that people use the educational system to accomplish human ends. (Contains 18 references.) (LMI)

In these papers the authors consider the changing societal context for education, examine concepts and research on existing recurrent education practice, and document constraints on and future prospects of inservice education for teachers. The introduction provides an overview of the teaching role in the paper, "Recurrent Education for Teachers, Some Research and Development Considerations" (H. Beare and T. van Raay). In part 1, entitled the "Changing Context," the following are presented: "Technological and Social Changes--Implications for the Recurrent Education of Teachers" (B. W. Smith); "Non Formal Education: Implications for the Recurrent Education of Teachers" (M. Gloster); "Changing Patterns of Student Participation, Student Expectations and Employment Opportunities for Students--An Overview of Some Implications for the Recurrent Education of Teachers" (P. Cameron); "The Changing Age, Composition and Structure of the Teaching Force--Some Implications for the Recurrent Education of Teachers" (K. Keogh); and "Commentary, Part 1" (M. T. Hewitson). Part 2, the "Theory and Practice of Recurrent Education and the Teaching Role," includes: "Recurrent Education and the Professions--Some Research Findings" (E. A. Sommerlad); "Recurrent Education Needs Arising from Changes in Parent, Community and Employer Links with Schools" (D. Pettit); "Teacher Participation: Learning on the Job" (G. Evans); "A Case-Study of Four Religious Teaching Orders: Implications for Teacher Participation and Recurrent Education Needs" (E. Whitehead); "Recurrent Education for Teachers: A Knowledge Utilization Approach" (P. B. Botsman); "Concepts of Recurrent Education: Philosophies, Policies and Implications for Teaching Practice in Technical and Further Education in Australia" (M. Buxton and P. Keating); and "Commentary, Part 2" (M. T. Hewitson). Part 3, "Present Constraints and Future Prospects" (M. T. Hewitson), examines the role of research and development in relation to the future prospects of recurrent teacher education. (JD)