In recent years, research that has identified instructional leadership as a key ingredient in effective schools has meant that attention has been directed increasingly at the ways in which future school administrators are being prepared. As a consequence, many universities have worked to develop administrator preparation programs that will enable…

This paper describes a study of mentoring programs for beginning principals in two different urban school districts. In both settings, the goal of mentoring was said to be support for instructional leadership behaviors by novice principals. This represents an alternative to traditional mentoring schemes designed solely to ensure that first year…

Previous research on principals as instructional leaders has been confined mostly to elementary schools and has disclosed little information regarding the specific behaviors used by principals in instructional leadership roles. This study focuses on high school principals' behaviors and attempts to determine the behavior differences between…

Discusses the unique needs of school principals early in their careers, describing ways the needs have been addressed through enactment of an entry-year program in Ohio that involves structured and formal mentoring activities. The program stresses that mentoring and induction should fit a more comprehensive program of professional development. (SM)

In this paper critical skills needed by beginning principals are identified in order to guide mentors as they support and assist novice principals by indicating effective ways of dealing with critical responsibilities. A review of related literature and research-based information is presented followed by a description of the study. Findings were…

The Socorro Independent School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas. In response to the complex issue of a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse student population, poverty, and shrinking pool of educational leader candidates, the district launched an Assistant Principals Academy, designed to prepare individuals to step…

Every educator in pursuit of a leadership position in administration will value this book's clear strategy and advice about how to successfully compete for employment. Using the terminology and techniques of business, the author guides the reader step-by-step through the process of developing a personal marketing plan from gaining product…

Discusses characteristics of instructional leadership as a form of proactive administrative behavior. Proactive administration is built on awareness of personal beliefs, understanding of organizations, instructional leadership as an ongoing process, sensitivity to alternative perspectives, consistency of personal behavior, and ability to…

Describes a training program for principals who are mentors for other principals. After defining mentoring, the article considers fundamental assumptions about development of formal mentoring programs, then outlines a mentor training model. Evaluation indicates the program increased mentors' understanding of their mentor relationships and helped…

It is generally accepted that effective principals make for effective schools. In the United Kingdom, the key player providing needed intelligence, vision, energy, and thinking is called the headteacher. The issue considered broadly in this paper is educational leadership in the UK. It addresses the critical role of the headteacher and how to…

The benefits perceived by mentors themselves from serving as mentors in preservice preparation of educational administrators were studied for practicing school administrators assisting in the Danforth Foundation Program for the Preparation of School Principals. Mentors enjoyed participating and learning from program participants, as well as the…

Findings of a study that examined the potential problems faced by beginning school principals are examined in this paper, with a focus on the obstacles that hinder the practice of interagency collaboration. The study was based on the belief that principals who act as instructional leaders place the needs of learners at the center of all school…

This paper explores ways in which education programs can improve their screening of master's degree candidates. It examines information obtained from principals and assistant principals in El Paso, Texas for the purpose of understanding what effective campus administrators should know and be able to do. The Delphi process was used in this study to…

To help policymakers plan for higher quality education despite increased productivity demands and decreased financial support, this paper briefly reviews trends and issues related to three important areas: school size, grade level organization, and school management practices. Research has yet to discover the perfect school size. Arguments are…

Early in their professional careers, school principals are found to have unique needs. This document provides a description of the ways in which these needs have been addressed as a result of the recent enactment of the Entry Year Standard program in the state of Ohio. First, the nature of the new Entry Year Standard is described, with particular…