The purpose of this action research study was to link together theory and educational leaders' practice to give form to and improve their ability to make ethically sound decisions. The questions that guided the study included: 1. How can I, as a superintendent, lead the principals I work with to use all four ethical paradigms in their own decision…

The purpose of this study was to discover what school leaders considered during the decision-making process when adding a transitional kindergarten program and how the decision was made. This study investigated the decision-making process for superintendents and principals by examining decisions made by rural, suburban, and large school…

Scope and Method of Study: Qualitative research to collect data from two sources: (1) Face-to-face interviews with school board members representing four Oklahoma School Districts; (2) Newspaper articles. Findings and Conclusions: Data from the study indicate that time availability and personnel expertise are determining factors in the decision…

The number of U.S. school librarians has greatly diminished despite advocacy efforts on the local and national level. This case study investigated the factors that led governing board members in a mid-size urban high school district to retain certified school librarian positions despite a major economic crisis. Data were collected through school…

Ethical dilemmas, situations involving a conflict between values or principles, often arise when employees of school districts violate laws or professional codes of behavior. Ethical dilemmas also occur when there are inequities in educational programming, resulting in missed opportunities for students. This qualitative study, conducted with the…

The success of the management team is determined by how well planners can create self-renewing efficient management teams through which communication can easily flow. Much too depends on the leadership abilities of superintendents. Management teams are purported to increase administrator satisfaction because of increased opportunity for…

The decision-making process of 16 superintendents in choosing among alternative instructional programs for elementary level grades was studied. The additive and lexicographic combination models of decision making were investigated for consistency with the process used by the Ss in ranking 27 alternative instructional programs. (Author)

A school district plan of functional organization is designed to integrate the functional and the organizational aspects of performance. The plan can be used to seek solutions to three basic management problems: (1) The functions which must be performed in a school district, (2) the plan of organization which should be implemented to facilitate…

This monograph aims at assuring greater rationality in decisionmaking processes involving boards of education, school superintendents, principals, and teachers. The discussion begins with an analysis of the present confusion regarding who makes curriculum and instruction decisions. A theoretical framework, consistent with some of the established…

The Dallas Independent School District has spent the past several years developing what it terms "a model for shared decision making." This model involves everyone with a direct interest in education -- students, parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators -- in assessing needs and assigning priorities. This speech focuses on the…

In July 2000, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) launched a partnership for the 2000-2001 school year with the University of Pittsburghs Institute for Learning to provide a framework for guiding leadership and classroom practices to ensure that all students in the district have the opportunity to reach the high standards of the Texas…

This article identifies 12 commonly used models for evaluating superintendents and analyzes them through questions related to the "Personnel Evaluation Standards" of the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation. Models are grouped into those based on global judgment, judgment based on specific criteria, or data-driven…

This six-step model examines the role of six potential participants in the educational policy formation process. The six steps are proposal development, executive recommendation (performed by the superintendent), legislative action (by the school board), supplementary change, implementation, and review. The six potential participants in this…

This report summarizes evaluation results from the AISD Principles of Learning initiative for the 2001-2002 school year.

Briefly reviews findings from the school effectiveness literature and suggests local strategies and policies that will stimulate school reform. Thirteen characteristics of effective schools are discussed as model guidelines for action; four general policy recommendations are made. (RH)