Values, Increasing Autonomy and Managing the Primary School.

Since 1988, education deregulation policies in the Netherlands have granted more autonomy to schools. This paper presents findings of a study that analyzed the changing role of school managers that has resulted from such policies. The study identified underlying values in the attitudes of school leaders toward their changing roles as managers of more autonomous schools. Data were obtained from interviews conducted with at least two school managers at eight Dutch primary schools and analysis of school documents. Findings show that school leaders cannot escape from their values while coping with the shift toward school autonomy. Administrators reported that tensions existed between being an educational professional and a chief executive; being in charge and being a member of the team; and feeling overloaded and being able to delegate tasks. One table is included. (Contains 11 references.) (LMI)