(2006-06-23) Ouchi Public Schools

William G Ouchi (author of Theory Z) on fixing the Public Schools. Thinks NYC (at least its Autonomy Zone schools) may be ahead of the curve. Control/accountability for the principal (We're finding that control over the budget gives principals control over three key school decisions: the staffing mixture, curriculum, and schedule.). Small Schools. Avoid Monoculture. He seems a little too willing to stick with traditional measures - he's pretty happy with the standardized testing of No Child Left Behind, though he notes the interesting polling done in the Edmonton Canada schools (which was the key model for his group).