School development planning in a small primary school - Addressing the challenge in rural NSW

School development planning (SDP) is one outcome of education being managed by modes of management that originate in the corporate world of private enterprise. While the rhetoric indicates strongly that modes of management such as SDP are supportive of efficiency, effectiveness and public accountability, empirical evidence is slight. Provides a case study of SDP in a small rural disadvantaged primary school called Meiki in which SDP has proved to be a rewarding process for staff and has had a positive impact on student outcomes. However, it raises serious questions about the connection between SDP and claims for enhanced efficiency.