Why would anyone want to become a superintendent? Those who seek the job do so for the same reason they became educators in the first place--they care about kids and they want to help students achieve. Beyond that, the profession attracts individuals who see themselves, or are seen by others, as leaders. A similar rationale applies to why…

Aspiring and entry-level principals desperately need encouragement, coaching, and help from veteran principals willing to be their mentors. According to a recent study of 377 elementary principals, most believe strongly in mentoring, and 90 percent would like to fill that role. Great commitment is necessary for preparing tomorrow's school leaders.…

Describes a program, begun by an elementary school principal, called In the Principal's Shadow, a yearlong program for teachers, who aspire to be principals, to become acquainted with duties and responsibilities of the principalship. (PKP)

Describes the need for principals to have a greater understanding both of the needs of special education students and of effective ways of handling their problems. Special education survey courses and practical experiences for administrators might help close the gap between principals and special education teachers. (WD)

Reviews the concept of principal centers, which help principals in their professional growth. Includes the results from a study of the organization and operation of 34 principal centers throughout the United States. (MD)

Former principal suggests several ways to make principal's job more manageable: Revise the principal's job description, improve professional preparation, provide ongoing professional development, provide more support, improve management practices, and strengthen staff hiring. (PKP)

Based on the premise that the principal's role is crucial in the quality of a school, the author provides 10 specifications for working to improve the quality of principals. (MD)

According to Frederick Herzberg's studies of employee motivation, humans are driven by motivating factors that allow them to grow psychologically and hygiene factors that help them meet physical needs. Good education conferences can enhance both factors by helping principals refocus their energies, exchange ideas with trusted colleagues, and view…

Reviews 15 books dealing with organizational behavior and corporate management that are applicable to the effective management of elementary schools. The similarities between effective school management and corporate management are obvious. Schools must discover, develop, and sustain creative teachers and ideas in the same way successful…

Presents competencies the school site administrator must have in order to foster the appropriate learning environment and suggests an integrated system of preservice and inservice training to foster these competencies. (Author/JM)

Describes the successful principal training program developed as a partnership between five Utah school districts and the Brigham Young University College of Education. It uses a modular curriculum and includes an internship under a mentor principal. A sidebar outlines the ten core competencies. (MD)

In an interview with "Principal," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and NAESP Executive Director Vincent Ferrandino agreed that schools should become community centers. Principals' major challenges include welcoming and involving the community, envisioning improvements, building consensus, valuing teamwork, and pursuing…

Examined are 14 leadership tenets of a successful principal as discussed by Wess Roberts in "Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun." Leadership strategies are analogized in relation to decisive action on the battleground. (SI)