Improving the Human Environment of Schools: Facilitation

This training guide and reference manual helps educational leaders learn to be facilitators in the program called "Improving the Human Environment of Schools" (IHES), a participative problem-solving method designed to improve a school's "quality of life." An introductory chapter reviews the history of IHES and outlines IHES facilitator training. Chapters 2 through 6 follow the 3-day IHES training program. Chapter 2 presents the building blocks of IHES facilitation, including a review of basic communication skills and the advanced skills of managing conflict and anger. Chapter 3 describes the components of IHES facilitation and the process of facilitating IHES group meetings. Chapter 4 outlines the principles and techniques of problem solving in small groups. Chapter 5 discusses background material on small-group processes and strategies for maintaining an IHES group as a fully functioning entity in the school. Chapter 6 provides information on advanced IHES facilitation methods and suggestions for improving skills. Next, the appendix describes how an IHES group is established. Finally, the authors present a list of references on small-group processes, conflict management, communication, and facilitation. (Author/MCG)