The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the SREB critical success factors being implemented as part of the Illinois PreK-12 principal preparation internship, as well as, the authenticity of the internship process. The following research questions guided this study: (1) To what extent do the 13 SREB critical success factors affect…

This qualitative case study explores the impact of job-embedded principal preparation residency programs through the lens of a school district's administrator. The school-university partnership provided an innovative way to prepare aspiring school leaders. The job-embedded structure provided an authentic, contextual base experience where aspiring…

The increased complexity of today's work environment has made the need for soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem solving, more salient than ever. Employers hire for these skills because it is increasingly the human resources that give organizations a competitive advantage. Therefore, academia must respond to these…

For 30 years, management educators have supported competency-based management education (CBME). When applying CBME, educators stimulate students' "lateral development", known as the acquisition of subject-specific knowledge and competencies that deepen their current perceptions and task performance. We contend CBME is necessary but not…

Online simulations offer opportunities for trial and error decision-making. What better tool for a principal than to make decisions when the consequences will not have real-world ramifications. In this study, two groups of graduate students in a principal preparation program taking the same course in the same semester use online simulations…

Experience in problem-based learning, authentic experiences, on-the-job decision making, and critical reflection on decisions made formed the conceptual framework of an internship to develop democratic leadership as a professional ethic in interns. Interns in an on-the-job guided internship examined decisions over a 13-week period as they…

This article presents the findings from a longitudinal study of pre-service principals during their required internship. The authors investigated interns' perceived acquisition of skills to meet licensure standards using scaled scores on the Colorado Standards Knowledge (CSK) instrument and structured reflective journaling. The findings revealed…

Surveyed student affairs faculty members (N=35) and administrators (N=41) for recommendations of competencies, skills, and standards for doctoral preparation programs in student affairs administration. Results showed more agreement than disagreement. Possessing research skills was identified consistently by both groups. Identified six general…

This report provides an evaluation of the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellowship Program as assessed by 147 of its past Fellows and their Mentors. This program is intended to develop administrative skills of mid career faculty and administrators (about 30 per year) who, under the guidance of a mentor, spend a year observing and…