Skip to main content

The Micropolitics of Educational Change

  • Chapter
Extending Educational Change

Abstract

This chapter by Joe Blase, focuses on the micropolitics of educational change, an emerging area of educational inquiry. After a brief review of the relevant theoretical literature, the micropolitics of stability and change is discussed. Selected general studies are described to illustrate the pervasiveness of micropolitics to life in schools. Micropolitical studies of 1980s and 1990s reform and general studies of 1990s school reform/restructuring are then reviewed. This review is used to demonstrate the central thesis of the chapter: Micropolitics is a fundamental dimension of school change in general and, as such, a chief target of most approaches to school restructuring. A framework of ideas for further research on the micropolitics of change in schools is described. Such research is needed because few direct studies of this important phenomenon actually exist.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allen, L. R. (1993). The role of voice in shared governance: A case study of a primary school. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, G. (1991). Cognitive politics of principals and teachers: Ideological control in an elementary school. In J. Blase (Ed.), The politics of life in schools: Power, conflict, and cooperation (pp. 120–130). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apple, M. W. (1986). Teachers and texts. New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacharach, S. B., & Lawler, E. J. (1980). Power and politics in organizations: The social psychology of conflict, coalitions, and bargaining. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacharach, S. B., & Mitchell, S. M. (1987). The generation of practical theory: Schools as political organizations. In J. W. Lorsch (Ed.), Handbook of organizational behavior (pp. 405–418). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachrach, P., & Baratz, M. S. (1962). Two faces of power. American Political Science Review, 56(4), 947–952.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, L. M. (1994, April). The politics of collaboration: How an educational partnership works. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldridge, J. V. (1970). Images of the future and organizational change: The case of New York University. (Report No. RDM58). Stanford, CA: Stanford Center for Research and Development in Teaching. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 037 184).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, S. J. (1987). The micro-politics of the school: Towards a theory of school organization. London: Mcthuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, S. J., & Bowe, R. (1991). Micropolitics of radical change: Budgets, management, and control in British schools. In J. Blase (Ed.), The politics of life in schools: Power, conflict, and cooperation (pp. 19–45). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beale, H. K. (1936). Are American teachers free? An analysis of restraints upon the freedom of teaching in American schools. New York: Scribner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, L. G. (1993). Cultivating a caring school community: One principal’s story. In J. Murphy & K. S. Louis (Eds.), Reshaping the principalship: Insights from transformational reform efforts (pp. 177–202) Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H. (1980). Role of the Chicago public school teacher. New York: ARNO Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blase, J. (1987a). Political interaction among teachers: Sociocultural contexts in the schools. Urban Education, 22(3), 286–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blase, J. (1987b). The politics of teaching: The teacher-parent relationship and the dynamics of diplomacy. Journal of Teacher Education, 38(2), 53–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blase, J. (1991). (Ed.). The politics of life in schools: Power, conflict, and cooperation. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blase, J., & Blase, J. (1994). Empowering teachers: What successful principals do. Newbury Park, CA: Corwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blase, X, & Roberts, J. R. (1994). The micropolitics of teacher work involvement: Effective principals’ impacts on teachers. The Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 40(1), 67–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blase, X, Blase, X R., Anderson, G., & Dungan, S. (1995). Democratic principals in action: Eight pioneers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (1984). Modern approaches to understanding and managing organizations. San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bondy, E., Ross, D., & Webb, R. (1994, April). The dilemmas of school restructuring and improvement. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bredeson, P. V. (1989). Redefining leadership and the roles of school principals: Responses to changes in the professional work-life of teachers. The High School Journal, 23(1), 9–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bredeson, P. V. (1993). Letting go of outlived professional identities: A study of role transition and role strain for principals in restructured schools. Educational Administration Quarterly, 29(1), 34–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brieschke, P. A. (1983). A case study of teacher role enactment in an urban elementary school. Educational Administration Quarterly, 19(4), 59–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brimhall, P. A. (1993, April). Restructuring and teacher empowerment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Atlanta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. F. (1994, April). Experiencing shared leadership: Teachers’ reflections. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, G. X, & Hawkins, J. (1988). Positive confirmation: Empowering others. Contemporary Education, 59(4), 195–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burlingame, M. (1988). [Review of The micro-politics of the school: Towards a theory of school organization]. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 20(3), 281–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, T. (1961). Micropolitics: Mechanisms of institutional change. Administration Science Quarterly, 6, 257–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clift, R., Johnson, M., Holland, P., & Veal, M. L. (1992). Developing the potential for collaborative school leadership. American Educational Research Journal, 29(4), 877–908.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. M., & Kottkamp, R. B. (1993). Teachers: The missing voice in education. Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conley, D. T., & Goldman, P. (1994). Ten propositions for facilitative leadership. In X Murphy & K. S. Louis (Eds.), Reshaping the principalship: Insights from transformational reform efforts (pp. 237–262). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, R. W. (1985). Teachers’ work. Sydney: George Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, H. D. (1991). Community influence on school micropolitics: A case example. In J. Blase (Ed.), The politics of life in schools: Power, conflict, and cooperation (pp. 73–95). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, H. D., & Rossman, G. B. (1988, April). How teachers empower subordinates: Running good schools. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowson, R. L., & Boyd, W. L. (1991). Urban schools as organizations: Political perspectives. In J. G. Cibulka, R. I Reed, & K. K. Wong (Eds.), Politics of education yearbook (pp. 87–103). London: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cusick, P. A. (1983). The egalitarian ideal and the American high school: Studies of three schools. New York: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cusick, P. A. (1992). The educational system: Its nature and logic. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duke, J. T. (1976). Conflict and power in social life. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Etheridge, C. P., & Hall, M. L. (1995, April). Challenge to change: The Memphis experience with school-based decision making revisited. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, G. R., Russ, G. S., & Fandt, P. M. (1989). Politics in organizations. In R. A. Giacalone & P. Rosenfeld (Eds.), Impression management in the organization (pp. 143–170). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flinspach, S. L., Easton, J. Q., Ryan, S. P., O’Conner, C, & Storey, S. L. (1994, April). Local school councils during four years of school reform. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, D. J., Brimhall, P. A., & Neufeld, J. (1994, April). Who’s in charge now?: A principal’s endeavors to empower teachers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullan, M. G. (1991). The new meaning of educational change. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, J. K. (1983). The anatomy of power. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giroux, H. (1982). Ideology, culture, and the process of schooling. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gitlin, A., Bringhurst, K., Burns, M., Cooley, V, Myers, B., Price, K., Russell, R., & Tiess, P. (1992). Teachers voices for school change: An introduction to educative research. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glickman, C. D. (1993). Renewing America’s schools: A guide for school-based action. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, W. D. (1991). The micropolitics of leadership in an urban elementary school. In J. Blase (Ed.), The politics of life in schools: Power, conflict, and cooperation (pp. 161–184). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gronn, P. (1986). Politics, power and the management of schools. In E. Hoyle (Ed.), The world yearbook of education 1986: The management of schools (pp. 45–54). London: Kogan Page.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, P., & Spencer-Hall, D. A. (1982). The social conditions of negotiated order. Urban Life, 11(3), 328–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M. (1976). Beyond the bureaucratic model: A study of power and autonomy in educational decision making. Interchange, 7(1), 27–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, C. (1987). The contribution of political science to organizational behavior. In J. W. Lorsch (Ed.), Handbook of organizational behavior (pp. 96–108). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargreaves, A. (1991). Contrived collegiality: The micropolitics of teacher collaboration. In J. Blase (Ed.), The politics of life in schools: Power, conflict, and cooperation (pp. 46–72). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickson, D., Astley, W., Butler, R., & Wilson, D. (1981). Organization as power. Research in Organizational Behavior, 3, 151–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, E. (1986). The politics of school management. London: Hodder and Stoughton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iannaccone, L. (1975). Education policy systems: A study guide for educational administrators. Fort Lauderdale, FL: Nova University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreisberg, S. (1992). Transforming power: Domination, empowerment and education. Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot, S. L. (1983). The good high school: Portraits of character and culture. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot, S. L. (1986). On goodness in schools: Themes of empowerment. Peabody Journal of Education, 63(3), 9–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lortie, D. C. (1975). Schoolteacher: A sociological study. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis, K. S., & King, J. A. (1993). Professional cultures and reforming schools: Does the myth of Sisyphus apply? In J. Murphy & P. Hallinger (Eds.), Restructuring schooling: Learning from ongoing efforts (pp. 216–250). Newbury Park, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukes, S. (1974). Power: A radical view. London: MacMillan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maeroff, G. I. (1988). A blueprint for empowering teachers. Phi Delta Kappan, 69(7), 473–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malen, B. (1994). The micropolitics of education: Mapping the multiple dimensions of power relations in school politics. Journal of Education Policy, 9(5&6), 147–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malen, B., & McLeese, P. (1992). The policy and political influence domain: A definition of knowledge and skill requirements for principals. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malen, B., & Ogawa, R. (1988). Professional-patron influence on site-based governance councils: A confounding case study. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 10(4), 251–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangham, I. (1979). The politics of organizational change. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marris, P. (1975). Loss and change. New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, J., & Still, S. (1993). Hollibrook Accelerated Elementary School. In J. Murphy & P. Hal-linger (Eds.), Restructuring schooling: Learning from ongoing efforts (pp. 63–83) Newbury Park, CA: Corwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeil, L. (1983). Defensive teaching and classroom control. In M. Apple & Luis Weis (Eds.), Ideology and practice in schooling (pp. 114–142). Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McPherson, G. H. (1972). Small town teachers. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melenyzer, B. J. (1990, November). Teacher empowerment: The discourse, meanings, and social actions of teachers. Paper presented at the National Council of States on Inservice Education, Orlando, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, J., & Louis, K. S. (1994). (Eds.). Reshaping the principalship: Insights from transformational reform efforts. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nias, J. (1989). Primary teachers talking: A study of teaching as work. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noblit, G., Berry, B., & Dempsey, V. (1991). Political responses to reform: A comparative case study. Education and Urban Society, 23(4), 379–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyberg, D. (1981). Power over power. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborne, A. B. (1989). Insiders and outsiders: Cultural membership and the micropolitics of education among the Zuni. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 20, 196–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauly, E. (1992). The classroom crucible: What really works, what doesn’t, and why. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, K., & Solsrud, C. (1993, April). Leadership in restructuring schools: Six themes on the work-lives of principals and teachers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Atlanta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, K. D., & Warren, V. D. (1994). Changes in school governance and principals’ roles: Changing jurisdictions, new power dynamics, and conflict in restructured schools. In J. Murphy & K. S. Louis (Eds.), Reshaping the principalship: Insights from transformational reform efforts (pp 219–236). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollard, A. (1985). The social world of the primary school. London: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, G., Farrar, E., & Cohen, D. K. (1985). The shopping mall high school: Winners and losers in the educational marketplace. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prestine, N. A. (1994). Ninety degrees from everywhere: New understandings of a principal’s role in a restructuring essential school. In J. Murphy & K. S. Louis (Eds.), Reshaping the principalship: Insights from transformational reform efforts (pp. 123–143). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radnor, H. A. (1990, April). Complexities and compromises: The new era at Parkview School. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed, C. J. (1992, April). Political basis of teacher response to opportunities for involvement in school site policy curriculum decisions. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reitzug, U. C. (1994). A case study of empowering principal behavior. American Educational Research Journal, 31(2), 283–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reitzug, U. C, & Cross, B. E. (1994, April). A multi-site case study of site-based management in urban schools. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J. R., & Blase, J. (1995). The micropolitics of successful supervisor-teacher interaction in instructional conferences. In D. Corson (Ed.), Discourse and power in educational organizations (pp. 55–70). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, P. J., & Briggs, K. L. (1994, April). Managing change through school-based management. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rollow, S. G., & Bryk, A. S. (1995). Politics as a lever for organizational change. Manuscript submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarason, S. (1990). The predictable failure of educational reform. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schempp, R. A., Sparkes, A. C, & Templin, T. J. (1993). The micropolitics of teacher induction. American Educational Research Journal, 30(3), 447–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sedlak, M. W., Wheeler, C. W., Pullin, D. C, & Cusick, P. A. (1986). Selling students short: Classroom bargains and academic reform in the American high school. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slavin, R. E., Madden, N. A., Shaw, A. H., Mainzer, K. L., & Donnelly, M. C. (1993). In J. Murphy & P. Hallinger (Eds.), Restructuring schooling: Learning from on-going efforts (pp. 84–113). Newbury Park, CA: Corwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W. E. (1995, April). A case study of principal leadership: Dilemmas in implementing shared decision making. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smylie, M. A., & Brownlee-Conyers, X (1990, April). Teacher leaders and their principals: Exploring new working relationships from a micropolitical perspective. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smylie, M. A., & Crowson, R. L. (1993, April). Principal assessment under restructured governance. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, A. C. (1990). Power, domination and resistance in the process of teacher-initiated innovation. Research Papers in Education, 5(2), 153–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spaulding, A. M. (1994). The micropolitics of the elementary classroom. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, F. W. (1947). Scientific management. New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J. (1967). Organizations in action. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, R. G. (1990). Toward a broader micropolitics of schools. Curriculum Inquiry, 20(2), 205–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waller, W. (1932). The sociology of teaching. New York: John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M. (1947). The theory of social and economic organization. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weick, K. E. (1976). Educational organizations as loosely coupled systems. Administrative Science Quarterly, 21(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woods, P. (1990). Teacher skills and strategies. London: Farmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Springer

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Blase, J. (2005). The Micropolitics of Educational Change. In: Hargreaves, A. (eds) Extending Educational Change. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4453-4_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics