American schools should be laboratories for modeling democratic concepts. However, our school systems are the antithesis of democratically run organizations. Teaching professionals, students and parents have very little power or genuine influence in decision making.Reframing Decision Making in Educationbegins by describing the current status of American schools and concludes with a description of the organizational structure, leadership, and decision making practices necessary to make our schools operate in a manner congruent with those democratic principles we espouse as a country.This book describe a democratic structure and a decision making matrix to help reform leaders begin such an endeavor. Woven through each chapter is a fictional story of Principal Samantha Levy. We see Ms. Levys struggles as she begins the process of making change in her high school and its impact on those around her.

Dr. Perry Rettig has served as a K-8 school teacher, principal, professor, and higher educational administrator his entire professional career. Presently, he serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Piedmont College north of Atlanta, Georgia.

PrefaceIntroductionChapter 1: The Way Things AreChapter 2: It Doesnt Have to be This WayChapter 3: Democratic Principles: Change HappensChapter 4: Implications and Applications for our SchoolsChapter 5: Back to the FutureReferences