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In recent years, schools have come to enjoy an increasing measure of freedom and autonomy. In return, stakeholders in education are demanding new forms of accountability. To this end, schools need new tools for self-evaluation. The third prerequisite for the paradigm shift to become “learning institutions” are new approaches in the field of staff development. This hands-on volume with contributions from school developers and educational practitioners covers all of these aspects, based on the experience of the International Network of Innovative School Systems (INIS). The network, founded in 1997, brings together schools from Canada, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland and Switzerland. In these countries, a wide range of tools for self-evaluation has been put into practice. They are documented in the first part of this volume. A theoretical framework for understanding educational accountability, developed by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (Toronto), is used to provide context for presenting the accountability tools developed in INIS schools. The third part highlights innovative approaches to training educators.

The demands made on local governments all over the world to offer high quality services at low costs and to cooperate with the citizens require a cultural transition within their administrations. The transition of local governments to "learning organisations" is on the the topics of the International Network "Cities of Tomorrow". Members of the network looked for good examples in Germany, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA. Their thesis was that transition in the organisational culture becomes apparent chiefly in the relationships between the members of the organisation- council members, corporate management, middle management, staff and citizens and that the transition to a "learning organisation" must be based on mutual trust. The members of the network visited 12 local governments, held interviews with the persons involved and collected methods for developing "cultures if trust" in local authorities. The publication also offers a brief summary of the relevant literature on the subject

To enhance economic development is an important strategic issue not only for federal but also for local governments. Members of the Bertelsmann Foundation's network "Cities of Tomorrow" have collected twelve case studies of local economic development from all over the world. The case studies show how local authorities improve employment conditions in their community with regards to new job creation, accessibility of employment for the local workforce, job maintenance and the development of conditions favouring local economic development. The cases vary from exogenous and endogenous promotion, such as offering additional advantages to foreign and local enterprises, involving private, voluntary and non-profit sectors and developing training and employment initiatives, such as "48-hour job guarantee". This book is a veritable goldmine for local authorities aiming to strengthen the development of their local economy.

With citizens demanding more of public services and employees desiring more self-fulfillment, far-reaching changes must be made in municipal administrations. An increasing number of cities in Germany and abroad are experimenting with new concepts of management and organization to reform their administrations and convert them into modern public service companies. In order to compile various experiences with reform made at an international level, as well as to explore and document innovative examples worldwide, the Bertelsmann Foundation has founded the international network "Cities of Tomorrow."This book presents initial results of the project, analyzed by practical experts in the field. It provides insight into the following areas of “new public ” changes in organization and methods, quality management, human resource management, information technology, citizen involvement, strategic planning, alternative services, and competition.