Technology has forever altered the way one learns and teaches, and the pace of change is only accelerating. What was hot last year or even last month may be of little interest today. How can educational leaders keep up with the daily onslaught of information when new literacies rapidly outpace traditional literacies, and access to technology and…

This paper outlines the emerging trends for leadership in the knowledge era. It discusses these within the context of leading, creating and sustaining the performance development cultures that libraries require. The first step is to recognise that we all need to take leadership personally no matter whether we see ourselves as leaders or followers.…

Starting a new CIO job is always a challenge. There is a new department and institution to learn about, people to meet, and problems to solve. There is always plenty to learn and projects to realize. Throwing in economic challenges to the new-job transition can feel like one is attempting to climb a mountain without any gear. Fortunately, there…

This article offers superintendents five assessment propositions for their consideration, each of which would likely provoke spirited and productive discussions at district administrative councils or at school staff meetings. These propositions are: (1) Teachers should anchor lessons and activities to specific outcomes (e.g., expectations,…

The revolving-door CEO is becoming a fixture of American companies, and is likely to remain so for some time. With executive tenure at a mere 2.5 years and a CEO turnover rate that increased 11 percent last year, newly hired executives must hit the ground running if they hope to be effective before moving on to their next jobs. Helping them adjust…

In this article, the author presents ten practical reflections for educational leaders. The author states that educational leaders should: (1) know themselves and where they are going; (2) not be overly prepared; (3) link with others; (4) measure their words; (5) take responsibility; (6) keep others informed; (7) maintain their perspective; (8)…

Studies of high-performing schools, where all students learn more than similar students in other schools, show common design elements. These elements are comprehensive, affecting the whole school, and include: (1) Clear mission guiding daily activities; (2) High, unyielding expectations that all students will learn; (3) Frequent monitoring of…

Some educators think of literacy coaches as teachers who help students refine the strategies they use to comprehend text, but "literacy coach" is more commonly used to describe an educator whose clients are teachers. In this capacity, literacy coaches provide job-embedded professional development that helps teachers build their capacity to make…

The complex nature of a school district demands a unique relationship between the superintendent and the board president. Forging a positive relationship requires a special kind of navigational skill. The author draws lessons for doing so from David Hargreaves' classic 1975 book "Interpersonal Relations and Education". The author outlines some…

Too many new principals struggle through their beginning years and only learn through trial and error. The principalship is much too demanding and difficult to succeed without the support of the district and practical knowledge of veteran teachers and peers. In this article, the author, a veteran principal, shares a few tidbits that he learned…

Invariably, whenever "Exchange" surveys center directors about their major frustrations, near the top of the list for non profit directors appears, "working with a board of directors." Boards are either viewed as much too involved--meddling in day-to-day matters that should not be their concern--or too little involved--requiring too much…

Education leaders make difficult ethical decisions each day. Using the story of a preschool director in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, the authors detail a series of paradigms to help educational leaders navigate rationally through challenging and complex circumstances when they are under considerable emotional stress. One approach which…

This document was developed to provide action steps that can be taken by teachers, parents, administrators, and students themselves to develop the personal, cognitive, and social dimensions of students. These advocates are identified in "The Holistic Learner Framework: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Accelerating the Achievement of Low…

British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) has designed "The Articulation Committee Companion" to serve as both an introductory resource for new articulation committee members and as an ongoing reference for committees. The "Companion" includes a brief overview of the province's articulation committees and…

All action and learning involves discovery and research. This paper puts forward the case for work-based action learning as an applied organization science process. It outlines guidelines for managers and team members on relevant knowledge, skills and processes. It reviews these in the context of my understanding of the principles and practice of…