The role of the principal, as an instructional leader is one of the most important roles in education today. The demands of high accountability that are placed on school principals have caused legislators and educational reformers to require more rigorous training for school leaders. Many states now have mandated state mentoring programs for entry…

Discusses the advantages and hazards of mentoring. Describes the qualities of a good mentor and of a good protege. Also gives strategies for selecting a good mentor. (JOW)

In a dynamic management development program, effective managers can be trained by other employees enacting the roles of coaches, sponsors, and mentors. By encouraging these relationships, the organization can produce better managers in a less random way. (SK)

This manual provides planners of professional development programs for practicing and aspiring school administrators with basic background information related to mentoring. Fundamental concepts that underlie mentoring in education are examined as well as many of the most frequently discussed issues concerning the actual implementation of mentor…

Findings of a study that examined the effects of a statewide mentoring program for Illinois principals are presented in this paper, with a focus on the reasons for principals' behavior changes. Methodology involved interviews with six pairs of mentors and proteges, site observations, and artifact collection. Conclusions are that: (1) principals…

A new paradigm for mentoring is necessary in today's companies, which Peter Senge has referred to as "learning organizations" (Senge 1990). This book argues that mentoring in learning organizations today means valuing creativity over control, fostering growth by facilitating learning, and helping others get smart, not only get ahead. In the new…

The Institute for Academic Leadership Development is a 2-semester practicum experience designed to help community college administrators gain leadership experience through the development and implementation of an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP). The IPDP is designed to help participants gain a knowledge of self, capacities for…

Findings of a study that determined the benefits of mentoring as part of an administrator preparation program are discussed in this paper. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine practicing administrators, who worked directly with aspiring administrators who served as candidates in one cycle of the Danforth Foundation Program for the…

Outcomes of a mentoring-based preservice training program for educational administrators, the Danforth Foundation Program for the Preparation of School Principals, are described in this paper. Components of the program included field-based experiential learning, educational collaboration, and mentoring with experienced administrators. Phase 1…

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…

This guide describes 35 programs developed by the Wisconsin Leadership Identification Program. The Leadership Identification Program offers mentee participants a structured mentee/mentor relationship, an opportunity to design a formal professional growth plan, a statewide leadership training session, visibility through a statewide newsletter, and…

Research shows conclusively that principals and other school leaders are essential to school improvement, and that these individuals benefit from the intensive, contextualized support that a coach or mentor can provide. But how does a coach support a school leader in mastering the professional and emotional challenges of school leadership for a…

In the summer of 1996, the Principals' Center at Texas A&M University established a School Leadership Initiative (SLI) that focused on the 21 principal-performance domains as identified by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration. During the first year of a 3-year leadership initiative, Texas A&M University's SLI Program…

A four-phase study was conducted in Great Britain to determine what executive coaching is, why organizations use it, what issues are involved, and where executive coaching fits in terms of management learning theory. Data were gathered through a literature review, in-depth interviews with management development specialists and others in…