Given the substantial impact school leaders have on school improvement, the imperative for continuous professional learning for leaders is evident. In this two-year action research study, researchers collaborated with a school division, forming a research-practice partnership, to design and explore a collaborative professional learning and…

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) recognized the need to better support its school leaders in the use of evidence-based instructional and leadership practices with the goal of building school leaders who can effectively develop talent, build school community, and transform instruction. Accordingly, BIE requested assistance from the Region 13…

One popular diagnosis for the problem of inequitable educational opportunities is the need for schools and schooling systems to undergo systemic change. While research shows that leadership support is essential for implementing system reforms, critical questions remain about how leaders help shift other's understandings and practices. Employing…

In light of the changing landscape of state-funded public education and changing expectations for principals in elementary schools, researchers examined the status of New Jersey principal certification programs in order to allow policymakers, institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders to assess the capacity of the state's higher…

Youth-adult relationships exist on a continuum from adult-led to youth-led collaborations. However, research suggests that quality youth-adult partnerships, which fall in the middle of this continuum, directly contribute to positive youth development. Given this, the current study evaluated the impact of a 4-H Youth Development program, using…

This guide was developed to assist 4-H club leaders in implementing a youth leadership skills project. Leadership skills are categorized into three levels: personal skills, skills working within groups, and skills leading groups. The first chapter discusses leadership and the value of teaching leadership skills to youth. The leadership life skill…

Whether the label for teen problems is "generation gap" or "lack of self-esteem," youth are not given the respect or consideration they deserve. Loftquist (1987) reports three styles that represent the attitudes of adults toward working with youth. In style 1, adults view youth as objects. In style 2, adults view youth as…

This study examined the roles, functions, and effectiveness of a group of teachers who became Instructional Leaders (ILs), assuming major responsibility for assuring the implementation of a voluntary school improvement program within their respective schools. The program, called SITIP (School Improvement Through Instructional Process), and…

The unique approach of the African American Leadership Institute (AALI) to increasing the well-being of the African American community is described. The AALI was founded in 1990 by Metropolitan State College of Denver (Colorado) and the Urban League of Denver in the belief that all members of society should have an equal opportunity to pursue…

This manual was developed to assist youth ages 9-11 in developing lifetime leadership skills. The manual describes learning activities in the following areas: (1) understanding self and self-esteem promotion; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to learn; (5) making decisions; (6) managing, planning, and organizing; and…

This manual was developed to assist youth in grade 7 (age 13 and beyond) in developing leadership skills. The aim of the project is the development of lifetime skills related to leadership. The manual describes 75 learning activities in the following areas: (1) understanding self; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to…

This manual was developed by the Illinois State 4-H Office as part of a project to assist youth in developing leadership skills. This manual emphasizes skills needed to lead groups. The manual describes learning activities in the following areas of leadership life skills: (1) understanding self; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others;…

The Muncie, Indiana Academy for Community Leadership (founded in February 1976) seeks to inform, instruct, and involve promising young leaders in the study of the anatomy of a community and its component parts in order to meet the demand for informed, motivated leaders to serve as members of various community committees, task forces, and boards.…

An Arkansas project implemented 10 vocational student organization (VSO) models developed during a planning grant for across-the-board activities. A State Coordinating Committee consisting of seven individuals who represented all the VSOs in Arkansas was formed. Members' cooperation was a key to project success. Three 1-week Governor's Institutes…

Designed for use either as a self-study tool or as the basis for a five-day workshop, this curriculum package provides public sector trainers with an opportunity to develop and improve their skills in the areas of assessing training needs, designing and conducting training programs, and evaluating training programs. It contains four leader's…