The 'Trouble Shooting' Checklist for School-Based Settings (Manual).

The "Trouble Shooting Checklist" (TSC) is a diagnostic and predictive instrument designed to aid educational change agents, faculty, and administrators in estimating the effects of particular variables on an institution's potential for successfully adopting innovations. The TSC consists of 100 descriptive statements that are broken down into seven scales that indicate particular strengths and weaknesses within a school. Scale one (School Based Staff) contains items that are descriptive of the personality and leadership styles of principals, teachers, and counselors. Scale two (Communication) describes communication activities throughout the entire school system. The third scale (Central Administration) focuses on relations between the central offices, school, and school board. Scale four (Innovative Experience) describes a school's experience with innovations and attitudes toward innovation. School/Community Relations, scale five, attempts to tap information on such variables as the amount and sources of funding, the degree of interest and involvement of community groups in the school system, and attitudes of the community towards the school. Scale six (Organizational Climate) describes the work climate and organizational structure of both the school and the district, and scale seven describes student behavior, attitudes, and demographic characteristics. Each item is rated on a five point scale ranging from "very typical" to "very atypical." The instrument provides seven scale scores in addition to a total score. Appendixes contain a subjective rating sheet, a reference list, tables of data, and a copy of the checklist. (DMT)