Site-based management (SBM) is a strategy that involves the decentralization of authority, and shared decision-making (SDM) among those involved. It is based on the assumption that education will improve when those closest to the situation are included in the decision-making process, and held accountable for their decisions. This study describes the status of SBM/SDM in the public secondary schools of Virginia in regards to teacher and principal participation, size of secondary school, and geographic location.

The study collected data from all public secondary school principals in Virginia, and from randomly selected secondary level teachers in order to answer the following six research questions:

1. What kinds of decisions are made at the school level in the areas of personnel, budget, curriculum and instruction, and policy?

2. According to the building administrators, what is the degree of their participation in the decision-making process at the school level?

3. According to the teachers, what is the degree of their participation in the decision-making process at the school level?

4. Is there a difference between the size of the secondary school and the status of site-based management?

5. Is there a difference between the geographic location of the secondary school and the status of site-based management?

6. Is the practice of site-based management in the public secondary schools of Virginia based upon written School Board policy?

Major findings revealed that SBM is occurring in the public secondary schools of Virginia. SDM has emerged in the public secondary schools of Virginia, but not to the same extent as SBM, in regards to most decision-making areas. SBM appears to be in existence without the direction of written School Board policy.

This study, a collaborative venture between two doctoral students, also discusses the process of collaboration that was utilized in this endeavor.