The Anatomy of 'Restructuring': Strategies for Re-Forming American Education. A Policy Issues and Options Paper. Program Report.

Restructuring the American education system has become perhaps the leading popular proposal for remedying what has been identified as the sorry state of the nation's schools. This term suggests a thorough, even radical, overhaul and redirection of the entire system. But the intent of these proposed strategies is the restructuring--not the destruction--of the historically successful American school system, now fallen on rather hard times. Basic strategies include (1) restructuring curriculum and instruction by raising state standards, using the effective schools approaches, giving priority to early intervention, using electronic technologies to bring education materials and experience to students while at home, and restructuring the teaching profession itself; (2) restructuring the governance and finance of education by altering established control practices, initiating accountability legislation for financial support of schools, and encouraging school and business partnerships such as the adopt-a-school program; and (3) restructuring administrative power hierarchies and allowing parental choice of schools to instigate competition and encourage excellence. Almost all these restructuring strategies seek to preserve the essential integrity of the current school system. (KM)