This quantitative dissertation examined the leadership practices of educational leaders in South Georgia schools, with the purpose of identifying effective strategies that contribute to student success and a conducive school environment. Utilizing the Leadership Practices Inventory self-survey, the researcher meticulously examined the practices of…

Research has indicated that there is a direct link between student academic achievement and school quality. Research has also indicated that the leadership style of school principals influence teacher attributes, from adeptness and job contentment to academic focus and engagement levels. Even though the research on professional learning…

Studies suggest that between one-fourth and one-third of localities elect their leaders on partisan ballots. Does the presence of a party label on the ballot affect the level of partisanship in local office? I leverage the fact that within select states, school boards vary as to whether their members are elected on partisan or nonpartisan ballots.…

The nation's K-12 schools are faced with critical challenges: elevating academic achievement, recruiting high-caliber teachers, engaging parental involvement and at-risk students. The national and global economic crisis has significantly compounded these challenges (Fullan, 2002; McEwan, 2003; Kowalski, 2008). School leaders are mandated by…

Education, a fundamental privilege in America, has been deemed the great equalizer that should afford each individual access and opportunity (Hale, 2004). However, research has proven that for many students of color, the American dream is simply a nightmare. Many minority students have lagged behind academically, failing to graduate and failing to…

Summarizes a study that gathered information from 375 teachers regarding the most harmful mistakes they believed their school principals made. The most significant mistakes included ineffective human relations, poor interpersonal communications, insufficient educational priorities, avoidance of conflict, failure to lead, lack of knowledge about…

This volume presents the 2009 Yearbook of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration. This year's theme is "Remembering Our Mission: Making Education and Schools Better for Students." This Yearbook contains six parts. Part 1, Invited Chapters, includes the following: (1) President's Message: Remembering Our Mission…

How have presidential leadership strategy, decision approaches, and institutional culture preferences influenced fund-raising effectiveness at a historically Black college for women? These conceptual dimensions guided a qualitative study that interviewed three recent Spelman College presidents and investigated documentary evidence to develop an…

A survey of 208 teachers/graduate students at a Georgia university found that teachers regarded their principals' supervisory behaviors positively. The supervisory climate was more positive in elementary than secondary schools. More experienced and educated teachers were more dissatisfied with their principals' level of trust and decision making.…