This report provides advice to policymakers and school leaders on the use of assessment centres as part of a teacher selection approach. It discusses the relationship between assessment centre scores prior to joining teaching, and teacher effectiveness over a six-year period. It draws from various stages of a wider research project, the overall…

Inspired by the publication of "Leaders for America's Schools" (1987), a guide for improving administrator preparation, this paper identifies program components to be reformed, examines general problems associated with each component, and encourages thinking about solutions to some of these problems. Assessment centers to test administrator skills…

Describes the use of an assessment center in evaluating candidates during a search for a new superintendent. Includes a brief article that points out the problems in using assessment centers for hiring evaluations. (MD)

Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Schools has created an extensive staff development program for current and potential administrators. The program includes (1) leadership training to help participants make career decisions and acquaint them with various issues in administration, (2) an internship program, (3) an assessment center, and (4)…

Describes how the Victor Valley Union High School District (California) established an assessment center to help select a superintendent. School superintendents can be selected through the use of role-playing exercises that test their ability to handle the difficult responsibilities of the superintendency. (MLF)

In a pilot test, superintendents participated in self-assessment activities in the American Association of School Administrator's Executive Development Center program. Activity stages centered on professional attitudes and skills, personal health, and fitness. Data provided a profile for professional development. Participants felt activities were…

With 50 percent of all principals planning to retire in the 1980's, hiring good principals should be a matter of planning rather than chance. This pamphlet notes the strategies that can help to ensure that a district hires effective educational leaders as principals. Developing effective job descriptions and interviewing techniques, though…

This paper examines the effectiveness of field-based preparation programs for school administrators. It reviews research in the field, pointing out that leadership, decision-making, and role performance have been the major interest areas. Outlining current theory in field-based program design, the author describes general systems theory as the…

This report describes the origin, purposes, and operation of the North Carolina Leadership Institute for Principals. Initiated in July 1979 by the State Superintendent for Public Instruction and supported by state funds, the institute develops programs that blend theory into practice, concentrating mainly on the development of leadership,…

This sourcebook presents results of a recent case study of how principals are selected in American public school districts. Part 1 (chapters 1-3) describes and evaluates conventional selection practices in 10 randomly supplied school districts according to a five-step process: vacancy announcememts, selection criteria, applicant pools, screening,…

A case study was conducted on how principals are selected in American public school districts. Chapters 1-3 describe and evaluate conventional selection practices in 10 randomly sampled school districts; these include vacancy announcements, selection criteria, applicant pools, screening, and employment decisions. These procedures as currently…

This publication is a guide to assessing the subject-matter competence of prospective physical education teachers in California. The guide was developed as part of a statewide response to legislated entry and exit standards for teachers in elementary and secondary schools. An introduction describes the regulations and executive order, which are…

The choice of principals is too important to be left to chance. Dynamic, committed leaders not only help determine the quality of teachers that are recruited, but provide the key to effective schools where the battle for excellence will be won or lost. Section 1, "The Effective Principal," outlines the tasks that an effective principal performs.…

The ideas, approaches, and issues guiding the efforts at principal reform are described in the following areas: (1) generic management skills or instructional leadership; (2) teaching experience as a requirement for the principalship; (3) restructuring principal preparation programs; (4) evaluating competency and proficiency; and (5) selection…

This publication, the result of a series of conferences held between April and October 1989, is a guide to assessing the competence of prospective art teachers in the California public schools. The guide was developed as part of a state-wide response to legislated entry and exit standards for teachers in elementary and secondary schools. An…