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The Mesquite ‘MicroSociety’ school: identifying organizational factors that facilitate successful adoption of an innovative program

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Mesquite ‘MicroSociety’ school: identifying organizational factors that facilitate successful adoption of an innovative program
Authors: Cherniss, Cary1, Fishman, Daniel B. dfish96198@aol.com
Source: Evaluation & Program Planning. Feb2004, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p79. 10p.
Subject Terms: *School environment, Organizational sociology, Societies
Geographic Terms: Mesquite (Nev.), Nevada, United States
Abstract: A ‘MicroSociety®’ School includes time during all or most days for students to take on roles in developing and operating a miniature society, including, for example, such ‘institutions’ as businesses, consumers, elected officials, a money system, a tax collection system, police and courts. This case study, conducted by the first author, looks in detail at Mesquite, a school with a highly effective MicroSociety program, to discover the organizational factors and processes that appear to account for its success. This case is part of a larger, formative evaluation project, sponsored by MICROSOCIETY, Inc., the national organization that provides support for individual MicroSociety programs. The case took place in the context of the first author''s multiyear relationship as a type of ‘developmental evaluator’ for MICROSOCIETY, Inc., combining both evaluation and organizational consultation functions. The findings of the case study and the potentials and challenges of the author''s developmental evaluation role are described and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:A ‘MicroSociety®’ School includes time during all or most days for students to take on roles in developing and operating a miniature society, including, for example, such ‘institutions’ as businesses, consumers, elected officials, a money system, a tax collection system, police and courts. This case study, conducted by the first author, looks in detail at Mesquite, a school with a highly effective MicroSociety program, to discover the organizational factors and processes that appear to account for its success. This case is part of a larger, formative evaluation project, sponsored by MICROSOCIETY, Inc., the national organization that provides support for individual MicroSociety programs. The case took place in the context of the first author''s multiyear relationship as a type of ‘developmental evaluator’ for MICROSOCIETY, Inc., combining both evaluation and organizational consultation functions. The findings of the case study and the potentials and challenges of the author''s developmental evaluation role are described and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
ISSN:01497189
DOI:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2003.01.001