In providing a discussion on decentralization and school-based management, this book looks into whether schools within a district should be allotted money to purchase supplies, equipment, personnel, utilities, maintenance and other services, so changing the political role of accountability. The rise of centralization is studied as is the counter-trend of decentralization of school districts across various continents. The volume does not take a position on decentralization as a means to effect change but attempts to produce an impartial analysis of how school-based management works and what its effects are.