While they're often overlooked in education policy debates, district central office staff can play critical role in improving schools. In this interview, Meredith Honig, professor of Education Policy, Organizations, and Leadership at the University of Washington and founder of the District Leadership Lab, explains what her research and experience…

This article presents the opinions/ideas of professionals who were asked these questions: "Should school districts have a specific individual designated as the Director or Coordinator for Physical Education? What credentials should one possess to be effective in such a role?" The professionals contend that every school district needs to have a…

In this article, the author talks about the resignation of New York State's commissioner of education David Steiner, and how it will affect the state's Race to the Top. He contends that Steiner was savvy enough to understand the importance of Race to the Top and able enough to turn the state's education energies toward it. The "Washington…

Beverly Hall has been superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools since 1999. Before coming to Atlanta, Hall was state district superintendent of Newark Public Schools, deputy chancellor for instruction of New York City Public Schools, superintendent of Community School District 27 in New York City, and a principal in Brooklyn. Hall chairs Harvard…

The purpose of this essay is to examine and respond to Tom Glass's (2000) assertions about the dearth of women in the superintendency using the lenses of new data (from two large national studies) and analysis--an analysis that primarily focuses on women superintendents' and central office administrators' formal, experiential, and personal…

When two former principals in central office positions set out to improve administrative communications, their goal was to achieve the quality of exchanges often occurring in the faculty room. With the superintendent's support, they successfully approached district principals with the idea of scheduled, informal, open agenda meetings between them…

A principal praises a collaborative method of selecting teachers that involves a personnel interview and a background check followed by an interview with the building principal. Several candidates are then interviewed by a team of at least three staff members to ensure that the prospective teacher shares the school's philosophy and vision. (MLF)

Presents eight complaints from principals about central administrators. The complaints carry two themes: the central office is too far removed from the realities of school life, and the central office doesn't communicate properly with principals. Offers suggestions to improve the relationship. (Author/IRT)

At her principal's request, a sixth grade teacher/composer formed a high-quality chorus of fifth and sixth graders. The chorus was a great success despite lack of strong administrative support. Unfortunately, the chorus disbanded after the author's resignation, resulting from lack of leadership, interest, and attendance. Meanwhile, the central…

In this article, the author relates how he initiated a systemic improvement to Half Hollow Hills school district when he became its superintendent. He relates that although he came to Half Hollow Hills with a deep understanding of the models of systemic change, he did not bring with him a specific prescriptive plan for improvement. His plan for…

Accountability is the key in a site-based program. Argues that all schools must have equal access to all programs and all students must have equal access to specialized programs. (MLF)

Research findings strongly contradict the assumption of high administrator stress. In reality, most administrators, including principals and superintendents, view their work situations as normal and manageable. Administrators who persist the longest are found in central office roles, where the pace is not so frenetic. The chief stressor is…

This interview with Phillip Schlechty, a leader in school reform, discusses assumptions about teachers' roles, suggesting teachers be viewed as inventors and leaders of knowledge workers. The interview addresses teachers as inventors; developing school leaders; assumptions about behavior; structural changes in education; building capacity for…

A valuable lesson about teacher ownership and its power to move a school forward was learned by the author as she worked with a professional development initiative on assessment: No matter how closely a district-level leader thinks she is connected to and trusted by a staff, the collective commitment, focus, and action of the teachers themselves…

Efforts to find reasons and to affix blame for educational deficiencies have included some severe criticisms of educational administration. The purpose of this paper is to examine, factually and objectively, six different assertions about school administration that have appeared in the popular media to see whether each assertion is true or false.…