CHAPTER n. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 4. Results of this investigation represent the 1998-99 school year, during which the data were collected. 5. This sample provided for separate questionnaire mailings made to public school districts. 6. The initial questionnaire respondents for this study were superintendents or district leaders. DeflnitioDS of Tenns One problem with examining SBM is that there are a variety' of definitions for SBM. For this study, SBM was defined as the provision that creates school councils and delegates the authority to make decisions at the school building level to increase student achievement. School reform is defined as the act of changing the form, condition, and function of schools. Human Subjects Release In efforts to ensure that the rights and welfare of the human subjects panicipating in research are adequately protected, the Iowa State University Committee on the Use of Human Subjects in Research reviewed this project and concluded that confidentiality was assured and the potential benefits through increased knowledge were appropriate. The study was conducted so that no emotional risk or risks to self-esteem were present. Modified informed consent to panicipate was assumed by those voluntarily completing and returning ±e questionnaire. CHAPTER •. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE In successful schools, regardless of all past history, shared principles govern. We find most often in successful schools, a capacity to cherish individuality and inspire communality that is the hallmark of our loftiest institutions. (Rosenholtz, 1989