School Management in a Decentralized Context - A Comparative Analysis Romania – the U.S.A

Basically, decentralization of educational system represents the transfer of authority, responsibility and resources needed to make decisions and to ensure general and financial management to schools and local communities. Through decentralization schools become the main decision educational maker. This paper presents comparison two educational systems from the perspective of decentralization, US system and Romanian system, emphasizing the roles of different actors involved in the educational process. In US educational system there are three types of authorities: federal or national, state, and local educational authorities. The federal government has no direct authority on pre-university system; its role is limited by the American Constitution. The decision making and control center is a local one. Romania initiated the process of moving from a centralized educational system to a decentralized one and now the decision makers are looking for equilibrium between authorities at different levels.decentralization; educational system; educational authorities; school as local decision maker; local responsibility.

Creative Economy-Feasible Option for România

The paper’s objective is the scientific foundation of the necessity to implement the topic of creative economy in Romania. The term of creative economy is widely used in the context of the knowledge-based society. Its importance to sustainable development, wealth and prosperity is commonly recognised mostly due to the amplified crisis effects. The creative communities and industries have moved from the fringes to the mainstream. The special needs of creative industries are reflected more in policy development at national, regional and microeconomic levels. The paper presents part of the results obtained within the research project “IDEI 1224”: “The creative economy and knowledge-based society. Challenges and opportunities for Romania” The general perspective of this paper is aimed at presenting our vision regarding the most important challenges and opportunities for Romania on its road towards a knowledge-based society and creative economy. Creative economy is crucial for Romania while it is facing the global crisis. In order to manage the current crisis (its complex nature derives from the fact that it is much more than just an economic crisis) in a competent way we have to seriously take into account the opportunities creative economy can provide. According to the authors’ vision, creative economy is a feasible option for Romania. The creative economy has to foster a holistic vision of development including socio-cultural, economic and environmental dimensions, offering new opportunities for Romania on its road towards a knowledge-based society.creative economy, creative class, creative communities, creative cities

Rational and irrational processes in decision making: An economic perspective: An economic perspective

The paper presents important issues of decision making processes with an emphasis on rational and irrational components of these processes. After a short introduction outlining the need for a deeper understanding of rational and non-rational factors that affect the decisions people make, the rationality of people decisions in daily life is questioned and the role of non-rational factors such as intuition are analyzed. The economic understanding of the decision making process is presented and principles of rational decision-making are explained. Different methods used and recommended by economists in order to make decisions are presented and applied in different life situations in order to demonstrate their value in daily life. Special emphasis is put on factors such as imperfect information, illusion of control, or risk aversion that may affect the rationality of the decision making processes. In the final section of the paper the concept of bounded rationality is introduced and explained along with new theories in economics that are challenging the classic economic perspective on the decision making proces

A NEW CHALLENGE IN EU: EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL EDUCATION

Financial literacy is a need for people responsible for their money. The decisions people made in respect with the money have impact on their future. Their responsibility and the risks assumed increase as long as employers and government responsibility and assumed risks in this respect decrease. Financial education is based on principles such as: active long life learning, individuals needs oriented, part of the early education provided by schools, basic concepts on financial issues and risks oriented. In Romania, financial education is part of school based curriculum. The Ministry of Education recommends all schools interested in delivering financial education programs schools a syllabus for an optional subject focused on financial issues. Banks are also interested to contribute to financial education. They help schools in conducting financial education programs and, additionally, they developed their own financial education programs