Contemporary management thinking embraces the organizational training theory that sustainable success rests, to a great extent, upon a systematic evaluation of training interventions. However, the evidence indicates that few organizations take adequate steps to assess and analyse the quality and outcomes of their training. The authors seek to…

A random sample of 305 principals was drawn from the membership roosters of 4 Principal Centers. Responses from 100 principals (33 percent) show that there is a relationship between writing apprehension level on performance of job writing skills. Advises school administrators to take courses in current written communication practices. (six…

Discusses a study which sought to determine if food service management training and certification resulted in more sanitary operations. Findings from site inspections, pre/post tests, and attitude surveys indicated that the program did not produce statistically significant differences between control and study groups but that improvements in…

Research verified that school business administrators generally agree with the Association of School Business Officials International and Danforth Foundation model curriculum for school business administrators. Samples of 466 school business officials, 100 superintendents, and 100 representatives from educational administration programs were…

Because administrative theory as presently developed does not allow administrative action to be accurately assessed, measuring participant responses to case study problems employing a predetermined, closed set of responses has questionable validity. This study tries to develop an alternative methodology and to test the resulting instrument in an…

Presents a study of parental influence on leadership styles. Reports that correlations between students and their role models show early influence is important to leadership qualities. Suggests that gender related influences are operational. Concludes that early influences are emulated rather than opposed and are strongest in male students with…

A national study was conducted to determine the means by which school districts choose principals. The main goals of the study were to describe and characterize both common practices in principal selection and promising alternatives for improvement of common practice. Accordingly, the study was designed in two phases. In phase 1, field research…

The ability of principals to evaluate special education teachers is an area of concern due to the principals' lack of training or experience in special education. Available research findings clearly indicate the need for training of principals in special education concerns. A statewide survey of principals was conducted to determine their levels…

Results of a five-year follow-up study of training and certification of special education administrators revealed that the greatest change since 1979 was in the number of state offices requiring special education coursework or demonstration of competency in special education as part of the general administrative credential. (Author/JW)

Presents results of managerial rotation program (librarians take turns on two-year cycle serving as department head) in medium-sized academic library reference department. An assessment of both the advantages and disadvantages of such a plan examines impact of this innovative and collegial management technique on staff, library, and patrons. (7…

This working paper, part of an ongoing national study, presents preliminary analysis of public service professionalism among state public administrators in many states on the basis of data already produced by a continuing survey research project. Information about the data source and sample profiles are provided. Additionally, the research…

Because of their visibility at the center stage of community life, small-town superintendents have a greater opportunity to act as participatory managers and instructional leaders. This paper reports the results of surveys with 25 small-town school superintendents to discover rural/urban differences, work patterns, and exemplary practices in…

Teacher education in Germany has no subdiscipline dedicated to school administration. School principals and candidates for this position are offered short inservice training, but most of the necessary skills are acquired on the job. It remains unclear how principals master this challenge and to what extent these learning opportunities are…

Since principals play an important role in fostering effective educational programs, they have a genuine need for increased professional development opportunities. Five models for administrator inservice education are described, including courses for academic credit, workshops and seminars (institutes) sponsored by professional associations or…

This paper describes the development, operations, and effectiveness of the Principals' Computer Network (PCN)--an experimental program created (1) to allow principals to use their schools' microcomputers to access other principals' solutions to common instructional management problems; (2) to enable principals to request suggestions from their…