This research study employed qualitative methodology, and the form of inquiry used was portraiture. Portraiture is rooted in the methodology of qualitative inquiry known as phenomenology; however, portraiture is distinct in that it intentionally includes diverse audiences through a fusion of art and science, while encapsulating the connection…

The role of the principal, as an instructional leader is one of the most important roles in education today. The demands of high accountability that are placed on school principals have caused legislators and educational reformers to require more rigorous training for school leaders. Many states now have mandated state mentoring programs for entry…

This qualitative research study used narrative inquiry to explore the assistant principal experiences that contribute to transformational leadership practices in new principals. Eight administrators, who were in their first or second year as a principal, participated in the study. The findings suggested that principals play an important role in…

In a dynamic management development program, effective managers can be trained by other employees enacting the roles of coaches, sponsors, and mentors. By encouraging these relationships, the organization can produce better managers in a less random way. (SK)

The Miamisburg (Ohio) City School District found that--through clarification of administrative style, definition of responsibilities, and acceptance by other administrators--the associate principal is a more effective school leader, administrative team member, and community liaison than is the usual assistant principal. (Author/RW)

Findings of a study that examined the effects of a statewide mentoring program for Illinois principals are presented in this paper, with a focus on the reasons for principals' behavior changes. Methodology involved interviews with six pairs of mentors and proteges, site observations, and artifact collection. Conclusions are that: (1) principals…

Vision has been identified as a critical factor in effective leadership. Communicating the leader's vision to the staff is essential to realizing the vision. This paper reports data regarding seven elementary principals who developed a vision for their schools during attendance at a Principals' Academy. Data were also obtained from follow-up…

Leaders need to be forceful--to assert themselves and push others to action. They must also be enabling--to discover and bring out the capabilities of others. The problem is that many executives see forceful leadership and enabling leadership as mutually exclusive or strongly favor one approach over the other, thus lacking the versatility they…

Findings of a study that determined the benefits of mentoring as part of an administrator preparation program are discussed in this paper. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine practicing administrators, who worked directly with aspiring administrators who served as candidates in one cycle of the Danforth Foundation Program for the…

Outcomes of a mentoring-based preservice training program for educational administrators, the Danforth Foundation Program for the Preparation of School Principals, are described in this paper. Components of the program included field-based experiential learning, educational collaboration, and mentoring with experienced administrators. Phase 1…

This training program is intended to help administrators and staff developers prepare teachers of special needs students to work more effectively with paraprofessionals--to direct and monitor their activities, to assess their contributions to the instructional process, and to use systematic procedures to improve their skills and productivity.…

This step-by-step guide is intended to help educators learn about the characteristics and activities of high-performing managers. It synthesizes the ideas of several experts on business management performance and includes examples of highly successful educational managers. It also briefly presents a comprehensive strategy that educational managers…

To help vocational education administrators produce a personal plan for professional development, this manual describes how to use needs assessment instruments, prepare the feedback, and interpret the feedback. An introduction briefly reviews the project that developed the process and defines potential users and needs assessment. The needs…

Describes experiences in assisting native management trainers in Bahrain improve management training programs. Discusses characteristics of people and organizations, program design, relationships with resident trainers, training preferences and learning styles of managers, and language and communication. (RC)

A South Carolina high school band director describes his experience with the Springfield Simulation, a role-playing seminar/workshop where individuals are assigned roles and situations that will aid them in developing administrative skills. (TE)