Leading a school can be a lonely, challenging job, Elena Aguilar has found in her years coaching principals. Aguilar describes how coaching approach she's developed--transformational coaching--helps principals get three things most of them need: a neutral person they can talk with confidentially, job-embedded professional development, and a safe…

Researchers who have worked on administrator mentoring program reveal some benefits of mentoring. The various characteristics of a successful mentoring program are presented.

Since humans change from the inside, it is more valuable for administrators to try to change themselves than to prescribe staff development for others. Principals can cooperate in self-development programs by participating in principals' centers being established around the country. (PGD)

In Anchorage, Alaska, aspiring principals are getting on-the-job experience through a two-year intern program that facilitates long range planning by enabling the district to test and mold its future administrators. Interns serve as administrative assistants, troubleshooters, and participates in instructional supervision and policy decision. (TE)

The Instructional Leadership Project of the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Public Schools determined staff development needs in the district's secondary schools and designed a three-year program to help administrators, guidance personnel, and department chairpersons build the requisite staff development skills. (PGD)

Makes a case for more developmental activities for principals, lists characteristics of ideal programs, identifies important competencies for which principals have indicated training needs, and reviews ways to overcome problems involved. (JM)

A school administrator describes her experience in developing her administrative skills at the National Association of Secondary School Principals Assessment Center. (JM)

To address the social challenges facing schools, administrators must revitalize the work culture. Borrowing from successful business practices, the School Management Institute has implemented a 25-day Managing Productive Schools leadership training program in Florida, Minnesota, and Virginia. The program is based on the cultural conditions,…

In Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, a Principals' Instructional Leadership Development Project has brought schools closer together and institutionalized a means for principals' development. Principals are exhibiting their leadership by extending their focus from their own schools to educational outcomes in general. (MLF)

Describes an assessment center that not only identifies strong candidates for administrative positions but also helps participants improve weak skills. (Author/JM)

The experience of the Kenmore (New York) Public Schools with an inservice program for school board members and district level administrators and staff suggests the issues that must be addressed when convincing district personnel and board members to accept and support the concept of local school initiatives for educational improvement. (PGD)

Describes a systems approach to administrator evaluation that incorporates performance appraisal and management by objectives. (Author/JM)

Mount Holyoke College's discussion-based Lenses on Learning seminars consist of 3 10-hour sessions that invite administrators to consider new ideas about mathematics, learning, and teaching and applications for their practice-supervising teachers, supporting their professional development, suggesting assessment approaches, addressing…

Instead of merely certifying administrators, the University of Northern Colorado is transforming its preparation focus from managerial skills to leadership development. The new knowledge base for future administrators stresses understanding self, using inquiry, shaping organizations, and understanding people and environmental influences.…