Harrison Elementary Case Study Essay

In the case of Harrison Elementary, Dr. William Basich is hired to pull a failing school out of the mire and make them successful again. Dr. Basich believes that the needed improvement is possible and he is willing to do what is necessary to make the changes needed (Kowalski, Lasley, & Mahoney, 2008, p. 73). Once in the position he learns that the school has a council, the Harrison School Council (HSC), which is made up of school employees, parents and the principal. Some members are appointed by the principal, but most are chosen by the staff. The council is chaired by a long time teacher Deloris Shipman. Ms. Shipman is popular with the other teachers but she is also the vice president of the local teachers union and has a family member on the school board, both of which should be considered a conflict of interest. However, Ms. Shipman is the leader of the HSC and immediately dismisses Dr. Basich’s plan because the council does not involve itself in instructional decisions. Ms. Shipman does not seem concerned with the fact that over half of the student population is failing to make an acceptable score on the state test. In fact, she feels teachers should not be blamed for poor performances because the students who are failing all come from economically disadvantaged families. Dr. Basich learns from a member of the HSC that none of the …show more content…
Basich needs to override the HSC decision and do what is best for all the students but putting in to place the needed instructional and curricular programs to increase learning in his schools. The HSC is a group that is working for the self-interest of a few, without considering the needs of the whole. Shipman is using political manipulation to get what she wants done and blocking what she does not. Group thinking is prevalent within the council as well; they are functioning under a directive leadership. The group feels they are functioning fine and they do not want Basich challenging their