Sociocracy as a Human-Centered School Organization Model

Öz

Traditional school management models tend to concentrate decision-making power at the top, which limits stakeholder participation and weakens schools’ ability to adapt to changing conditions. Although the discourse on democratic education is widely supported, research shows that many schools rely on hierarchical structures that restrict the genuine sharing of power. This study examines sociocracy from an open systems perspective as a human-centered management model that offers an alternative to traditional school structures. In this context, the four core principles of sociocracy, consent decision-making, semi-autonomous circles, double-linking, and selection by consent are evaluated within the educational framework. By reviewing the extant literature, this research explores how sociocracy can enhance decision-making processes, foster collaborative cultures, and support schools in functioning as open systems. Case studies from educational settings demonstrate the model’s potential to increase teacher collaboration, strengthen student engagement, and align administration with pedagogical commitments. The discussion highlights how sociocracy addresses fundamental challenges in school management and bridges the gap between democratic ideals and organizational practices. The study concludes by summarizing the implications of sociocracy on educational stakeholders, emphasizing its value as a framework for developing more inclusive, resilient, and future-oriented schools.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sociocracy
• Open systems theory
• Decision-making in education
• Educational administration
• School governance

İnsan Odaklı Bir Okul Örgütlenme Modeli Olarak Sosyokrasi

Öz

Geleneksel okul yönetim modelleri, karar alma gücünü tepede yoğunlaştırma eğilimindedir ve bu durum paydaş katılımını kısıtlayarak okulların değişen koşullara uyum sağlama kapasitelerini zayıflatmaktadır. Demokratik eğitim söylemi yaygın olarak desteklense de araştırmalar birçok okulun gerçek güç paylaşımını kısıtlayan hiyerarşik yapılara dayandığını göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, geleneksel okul yapılarına bir alternatif sunan insan merkezli bir yönetim modeli olarak sosyokrasiyi açık sistem perspektifinden incelemektedir. Bu kapsamda, sosyokrasinin dört temel ilkesi (rızaya dayalı karar alma, yarı özerk çemberler, çift bağlantı ve sosyokratik seçim) eğitim bağlamında değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışma, alan yazını inceleyerek, sosyokrasinin karar alma sürecini nasıl geliştirebileceğini, iş birlikçi kültürleri nasıl teşvik edebileceğini ve okulların açık sistemler olarak işlev görmesini nasıl destekleyebileceğini incelemektedir. Eğitim ortamlarından alınan örnek olaylar, modelin öğretmen iş birliğini artırma, öğrenci katılımını güçlendirme ve yönetimi pedagojik taahhütlerle uyumlu hale getirme potansiyelini göstermektedir. Tartışma, sosyokrasinin okul yönetimindeki temel zorlukları nasıl ele aldığını ve demokratik idealler ile örgütsel uygulamalar arasındaki boşluğu nasıl doldurduğunu vurgulamaktadır. Çalışma, sosyokrasinin eğitim paydaşları üzerindeki etkilerini özetlemekte ve daha kapsayıcı, dirençli ve geleceğe yönelik okullar geliştirme adına sunduğu çerçevenin altını çizerek sonuçlanmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• sosyokrasi
• açık sistem yaklaşımı
• Eğitimde karar alma
• okul yönetimi
• Eğitim yönetimi

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