Key Elements of a Successful School-Based Management Strategy

School-based management (SBM) is a standard feature of many current reforms. While previous research found that poorly designed and poorly implemented SBM had few positive effects, recent research suggests that SBM can improve instructional programs and produce higher levels of student learning. This article synthesizes research findings from major studies of SBM to identify the core elements of a successful SBM strategy. By comparing schools that successfully used SBM with schools that struggled to implement SBM, we generate 8 elements of schooling that were associated with successful SBM. In brief, these elements address vision, decision-making authority, power, knowledge and skills, information, rewards, leadership, and resources.