Models of Educational Change and their Application Term Paper by scribbler

The paper first explains the principle of contingency theory, that the managerial approach must be adapted to the nature of the individuals in the organization, the organization's purpose, and its history, and details Vroom and Yetton's normative decision-making model. The paper then looks at the use of a participatory leadership style which is based on the belief that followers, regardless of the situation, must feel invested in the mission and decision-making strategy of the leader. Finally, the paper discusses Theory X and Theory Y and their basic underlying principle that once worker's basic needs are met, the most powerful source of motivation is joy in work, rather than pay. The paper applies these theories to the school environment and notes that teachers and students who can be motivated by a Theory Y approach are an administrator's dream, however, given the varied nature of the responsibilities and challenges facing school administrators at different school districts, Vroom and Yetton's philosophy may be more practical.