This research examines how public school principals in Kentucky perceive their new teacher evaluation system and the proficiency exam they must take and pass in order to evaluate their staff. An online survey was developed and 308 out of an estimated 1,100 working school principals across Kentucky responded, yielding a response rate of 28%.…

Teachers have the greatest school-based effect on the achievement of any child in their classrooms, but highly effective principals can positively affect the achievement of every student in their schools. The difference between a highly effective principal and an average one is equal to two-to-seven months of extra learning per year for each child…

A profile of one state's principal preparation programs is presented in this article. The collaborative inquiry process used to develop a program narrative instrument and to capture data on characteristics of all 17 state-approved programs in the state of Indiana is provided. The statewide preparation program characteristics profiled in this…

During the past 5 years, we have reexamined what we teach in management education, placing a much stronger emphasis on interpersonal skills than in the past. We must now reexamine how we teach these skills and demonstrate their value quantitatively. This article presents one method of quantifying the "softer side" of management education. It…

Phases in the management training program development process are described, including: needs assessment; program objectives, recommendations, implementation, requirements, and resources; formative and summative evaluation; and feedback. (LH)

Describes the development of a system that uses the assessment center approach as part of a total management development system that includes the identification of candidates, assessment/training of the candidates, and the presentation of career choices and development opportunities. (Author/IRT)

The relevance of administrative preparation programs has been questioned. The questions center around how well programs are preparing school leaders to deal with the myriad of requirements placed in front of them (i.e. demands relate to issues of accountability, changing demographics, aging professionals, demanding publics, and school…

This book offers a comprehensive guide to evaluation as applied to management development. Part I (Chapters 1-2) discusses the following: what management is; the role of training, development, and education of managers; the purposes of evaluation (proving, improving, learning, controlling); and approaches to evaluation. Part II (Chapters 3-6)…

Urges trainers not to proceed blindly in learning program effectiveness. (DS)

In 1988, the Department of Educational Leadership at Western Kentucky University (WKU) established the Western Kentucky Assessment Center, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This document provides an overview of the history and methods of NASSP assessment centers, followed by a discussion of costs to…

An assessment center can be used to identify school personnel with administrative potential and to discover what training programs are needed. Run by a group of cooperating school districts, the assessment center consists of three sessions and is held in a place convenient to all participants. Potential administrators are nominated by their…

Contends that managers who undertake action research in the course of their work would benefit from using qualitative methodology. Describes three cases in which practicing managers were supported in their wish to identify and use qualitative approaches in their research. Reflects on the potential for and problems with the wider use of qualitative…