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[quote=pbraverman][quote=Anonymous]Although the Maret lease has prompted my interest, I was to pose a broader question.  Do faculty, students and families engage in discussions as to the school's conduct at these institutions?  Do community members have license to think critically and speak?

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"The school's conduct" is a pretty broad topic. There are times discussions are inappropriate or even prohibited by law — the obvious example is a school's decision not to re-hire a staff member. Parents should not expect to have input on that type of decision after the fact.

More broadly, organizations have cultures and people have strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes administrators don't allow for sufficient feedback because they don't think of it, or they're just driven to get things done, not because they're philosophically opposed or dictatorial by temperament. And for each parent who would like to comment on every impending decision, there's another thinking, "Blah blah blah, just make a decision!" It's a balancing act, always.

The answer to the original question depends almost entirely on the school, the leadership at that school, and the culture that's developed over decades. Overall, like any "boss," I think most school administrators crave feedback, as long as it's constructive and respectful — but I've certainly known and worked with some who don't.

If the topic itself is interesting, Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen's book, Thanks for the Feedback, is superb.

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Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's easy to write uninformed, personal, or mean-spirited posts when posters don't identify themselves. I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools. I have read hundreds of admission files, and I have counseled hundreds of students in finding their next schools in the DC area. If you disagree with something I've written, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students and parents ahead of you. :) If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter &lt;at&gt; peterbraverman &lt;dotcom&gt;[/quote]

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