Chaos Theory and Garbage Can Model as Effective Strategies for Decision Making in Educational Institutions

Chaos is explained as complexity, instability, unpredictability, nonlinearity, and in the trash can model, conflicts, restrictions, differences, dynamic environment, instability of participation, complex organizations, and unstable conditions have importance. The garbage can model explains this tendency in organizations that often experience very high degrees of uncertainty. The aim of the current study is to discuss how the manager can benefit from the trash can model within the framework of their proactive personality in cases of chaos that may occur during the education management process. A case study design from qualitative research methods was used in the study. The research data were obtained, analyzed, evaluated and interpreted with the document analysis technique. The literature on chaos theory and the garbage can model used in administrative decision-making was systematically examined and synthesized. In general, the question sought to be answered is how education and school systems can effectively manage chaos and complexity. Thus, a new and different understanding and perspective will be tried to be created for effective school management.

Within the scope of the current research, the following suggestions can be offered to education administrators: Creating a simple and flexible organization and organizational structure, giving importance to the detection of pre-learning and experiences (cognitive, emotional, motor, social aspects) in individuals, the need for education and school administrators to be proactive and behave accordingly. As a result, in school improvement efforts, despite linear organizational charts and development plans, schools are not linear but chaotic systems. This situation brings about the fact that schools cannot be managed from the top. Also, plans in schools should be short-term (1-2 years) rather than long-term (5-10 years) and should focus on the process rather than the product.