The principal can create dynamic changes across a school and district if they are willing to partner with other educators and policy makers to build trust along a common understanding of the purposes of education. In crafting this shared definition or vision, the instructional leader would be wise to turn to the educational philosopher, John…

Women aspiring to be principals and superintendents in the U.S. public school system have little information concerning optimum career paths to leadership. This article considers recent research and theory regarding career planning in the context of K-12 schools, and the different approaches adopted by male and female aspirants. The choice of…

On nearly any international index of those nations where women suffer the greatest, Afghanistan remains consistently identified within the top ten year after year. Afghanistan stands at a crossroad as the country makes the transition from reliance on extensive support for security from the international community to its own police forces and…

This article describes an educational leadership course in which students perform action research. The assignment, along with its structure, restraints, directions, and outcomes is described. Student topics are presented in detail, along with the data source used for each project. The authors argue for the utility of action research on school…

In this study the discipline of collaborative inquiry is employed to prepare aspiring administrators to lead for equity. Educational leadership students are required to conduct a site-based collaborative inquiry resulting in an Equity Plan signature assignment. As they develop their Equity Plans, emerging leaders also participate in a…

"Central High School," a rural school composed largely of students of color from low income homes, experienced a quick, remarkable turnaround of student academic success, measured by State and Federal accountability standards. This turnaround began with an external restructuring grant initiative that required a state-approved external…

This study examines the demographics of SACs and the schools they serve, and proposes that demographic similarity with the school principal influences the SAC membership. The findings draw attention to the likelihood that appointment to SAC chair may be contingent on an individual's demographic similarity with the school principal. Principals also…

A recent study of school improvement planning teams in central New York State attempted to capture practicing team members' perspectives and identify and elaborate factors helping or hindering team development or effectiveness. Skill development, adequate time, and strong administrative support are critical to successful team development. (20…

The approach to educational change outlined here relies on systematic planning for educational problem-solving. (Author/IRT)

Although the findings of this study of elementary principals stand in some contrast to those of a study of secondary principals, it remains true that change is more likely to occur from administrators hired from outside the district than from those hired from within. (Author/IRT)

Reports salient information from a study of educational innovators, describes 12 programs aspiring to matriculate persons trained to link knowledge producers and knowledge users, and offers a unique linkage methodology that could be incorporated within most existing linking agent training programs. (Author/IRT)

Presents and analyzes the first year's results of a longitudinal study designed to measure teachers' and principals' stages of concern regarding implementation of a potentially controversial innovation--benchmark testing. Results indicate that the responding 241 teachers and 52 principals were positively disposed and interested in making the…

The Delaware experience shows that staff development can be a positive force for change in schools, that principals can be effective facilitators for staff development, and that teacher involvement in training, discussion, and observation will help foster collegiality and acceptance of change. Includes 13 references. (MLH)

Provides a synthesis of related research and literature on implementing innovation at the school and classroom levels. The key factors affecting implementation include the nature of the intended change, contextual factors of school organization, and the roles of teachers and change facilitators. Recommendations for effective practice are offered.…