This paper purports to discuss the political aspects of school-based management(SBM), drawing upon a literature review of the theories and practices of the approach, with a look into the experience of Korean school councils in particular. Although the SBM approach implies the broad participation of stake holders, decentralization of power and transformational leadership of principals, school councils in Korea have not seen much success in these aspects as compared to the outcomes of other countries. Despite the strong rationales and internationally growing popularity of the approach, a review of studies on Korean school councils has revealed a number of interesting findings, including contradicting research results according to different methodologies, limited participation in council activities, disfavored conditions, eschewed politics, and insufficient principal leadership. Measures identified for the improved implementation of SBM are capacity building, restoration of the school council as a basic decision-making body, an efficient administrative system, and sufficient support for schools.
I. Introduction
II. Criticisms and Political Aspects of School-Based Management
1. Growing Popularity and Variations
2. Critiques of SBM
3. Shared Governance and Dilemmas of Principals
4. Power, Conflict and the Politics of School Councils
5. Conditions for Successful School Councils
III. Analysis of Korean School Councils
1. Quantitatively Desirable, or Qualitatively Problematic?
2. Limited Participation and Marginal Benefits
3. Disfavored Conditions
4. Eschewed Politics
5. Crisis of Leadership
IV. Implications and Conclusion
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