Teacher Empowerment: A Key to Restructuring

Despite a wealth of research pointing to the benefits of empowerment, teachers still remain encapsulated in their classrooms (Rice 1987). They have been unable to take their place as first-class citizens within the education profession. It is encouraging to note the various programs and plans that are being tried across the country. It is also encouraging to read so much in the literature about teacher empowerment, school-centered decision making, and the restructuring of schools. Empowerment, it is to be hoped, will not be looked on as merely “another fad.”

It is crucial that programs supporting teacher empowerment expand and that the “reform states” reduce the restrictions placed on teacher autonomy. If legislators continue to insist on making the crucial educational decisions, then they ought to accept the fact that schools are unlikely to improve.