In a synthesis of research on school restructuring, all of the following structural conditions were found to enhance a school's 'professional community' and increase student learning except?

• A. Shared governance that increases teachers' influence over school policy and practice
• B. Large schools in which communications and trust are less important to students' lives
• C. Deregulation that provides autonomy for schools to pursue a vision of high intellectual standards
• D. Parent involvement in a broad range of school affairs

Answer: (C)

Strengthening a school's professional community comes from structures that empower teachers, foster continuous collaboration, and engage families. When teachers have real influence over policy and practice through shared governance, it builds trust, shared purpose, and professional norms that link to better instruction. Involving parents across a broad range of school affairs broadens perspectives, aligns home and school expectations, and reinforces a culture of collective responsibility for student learning. Smaller schools naturally support more frequent, meaningful communication and trust among staff, students, and families, which reinforces a cohesive professional community and supports higher achievement.

Deregulation that gives autonomy to pursue a vision of high intellectual standards, by itself, does not automatically create that collaborative, trusting culture. Autonomy can fail to produce the needed shared decision-making and coordinated practice if it’s not coupled with structures that foster collaboration and mutual accountability. Without that, the professional community may not strengthen, and student learning may not improve as a result.

So the option describing deregulation stands out as not reliably enhancing the professional community, whereas the others describe conditions that research links to stronger professional culture and better student outcomes.