Paraeducators perform multiple roles in U.S. classrooms, including among others preparing classroom activities, working with students individually and in small groups, supporting individualized programming for students with disabilities, managing classroom behavior, and engaging with parents and communities. Yet, little research provides insights…

This article summarizes current research on effective professional development and offers a checklist for school leaders to use when designing learning opportunities for teachers. Effective professional development engages teachers in learning opportunities that are supportive, job-embedded, instructionally-focused, collaborative, and ongoing.…

This paper explores the role of professional learning communities in facilitating effective use of data by school administrators and teachers. The paper draws on three related research studies conducted in the Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin. Grounded in systemic reform theory, the studies had a common goal to build the capacity of school…

As the demand for qualified higher education faculty increases, practicing administrators with the appropriate education and experience will be likely recruits. Article provides an overview of the realistic considerations and preparations administrators should take when contemplating making the move from an administrative to faculty position.…

Examines the close friendships of women student affairs professionals and explores the influences of career mobility on those relationships. Participants defined close friendship and described the challenges of making professional and personal transitions. Considers implications for the student affairs profession. (Contains 52 references and 1…

The competence of directors and administrators of children's programs is very important to quality, and efforts that seek to bring directors and administrators more support and help them to develop their competencies are worth examination. This paper begins by briefly discussing "A Preliminary Overview of Director Credentialing…

This collection of thought-provoking and sometimes humorous quotations should be of interest to any student personnel administrator seeking upward mobility. Subjects include preparation and training, the doctorate, career commitment, availability of positions, politics, professional activities and age. (Author/BEF)

This paper describes a proposed five-phase model for assessing the instructional leadership of rural school administrators. In phase one, assessors conduct a structured interview to determine participants' understanding of the skills and functions required of the instructional leader. Phase two allows participants to review and evaluate video…

Adult learning theory and research on professional development provide a rich background context for examining school leader development for school improvement. The literature on adult learning theory identifies the following generalities about adults as learners: age reduces the speed of learning; adult learners bring life experiences to bear on…

Isolation, overwork, and political tensions are cited as contributors to burnout. Although recent studies report that a large majority of administrators are reasonably satisfied in their current positions, many are facing greater stress and heavier workloads. Expectations, time and financial constraints, and personnel matters pressure…

An overview of research regarding mid-level administrators' careers is presented, and research topics and strategies for studying career opportunities are proposed. The review focuses on how mid-level administrators' careers are studied and the purposes of those studies. From research completed between 1969 and 1985, 30 studies about mid-level…

Drawing on the experience of a 21-year mentoring relationship between two rural school administrators, this paper describes 11 components of an effective working mentorship. These elements are: establishing the relationship, the communications process, setting goals, determining skills, time commitment, broadening the protege's horizons,…

Presents three keynote speeches focusing on the topics of leadership development in mental health services administration and ethical dilemmas in the administration of mental health services. Suggests that didactic content and specific skill training activities must be provided for administrators at all levels. (HLM)

Senior centers are growing in size, number, variety, and sophistication of programs. However, administrative salaries are low, turnover is high and educational backgrounds are very diverse. A training needs assessment survey was carried out by means of a 57-item questionnaire mailed to 1,963 members of National Council on the Aging's (NCOA's)…

Developing long-range plans that support educational computing programs requires leaders that understand the problems and promises of instructional computing. If administrators are expected to provide the vision needed to guide program development, they must first be encouraged to increase their computer competence. A course on administrative uses…