This article utilizes mixed methods--a lottery-based experimental design supplemented by qualitative data--to examine college readiness within an innovative high school setting: early college high schools. Early colleges are small schools that merge the high school and college experiences and are targeted at students underrepresented in college.…

Although inextricable, the act of leading, the leader, and outcome of leadership are unique entities. Lack of such differentiation may ensnare novice leaders in broad suppositions. This conceptual article introduces a tool for analyzing leadership. Leaders can leverage the model to evaluate the act of leading, in route, via a measurable trajectory…

The Supervisor's Interactive Model of Organizational Relationships (SIMOR) integrates two models addressed in the leadership literature and then highlights the importance of relationships. The Supervisor's Interactive Model of Organizational Relationships combines the modified Hersey and Blanchard model of situational leadership, the…

A firm grounding in change theory can provide educational leaders with an opportunity to orchestrate meaningful organizational improvements. This article provides an opportunity for practicing leaders to review four major theories of organizational change--continuous improvement, two approaches to organizational learning, and appreciative inquiry.…

Research indicates that mentoring programs help increase the retention of beginning teachers. School administrators may be presented with competing mentoring models, with various sources and types of support, aimed at improving beginning teacher retention. This study collected both qualitative and quantitative data under the rubric of a…

Student confidentiality can create challenges for both school counselors and administrators. The article addresses historical and ethical issues surrounding confidentiality in schools as well as methods of working toward collaboration. Developing an understanding of one another's ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities can lead to a…

Provides a nonthreatening and collegial supervision model for teachers who do not see themselves as being able to profit from instructional improvement statements. Includes a diagram and six references. (Author/MD)

Hall and Hord's (2005) concerns-based adoption model (CBAM) served as the framework to study a districtwide implementation of Rachel's Challenge in Rockwall, Texas. This article describes CBAM principles and strategies that were used to increase awareness of the change process during the first year of implementing the character education program.…

School principals face situations today in much the same way as politicians for centuries have confronted the real world. The writer suggests that we can learn much about leadership survival from the political model. (Editor)

This article introduces the reader to the Essential Leadership Model (ELM). The ELM provides a vocabulary and framework for clarifying and prioritizing the many complex and competing demands of the principalship. The ELM supports principals in identifying the critical needs of a school and the leadership knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet…

No matter how well we think we communicate, we sometimes are surprised by negative responses. Many factors can sabotage the best of communication efforts. This author explains the how and why of this delicate process. (Editor)

Principals should remember that the term "to minister" is embodied in administration. Principals "minister" by encouraging others, being diplomatic, helping when needed, and by being models that exhibit behavior promoting collaboration, rationality, and humane relationships. (MD)

Realizing the need to establish a procedure to hear cases in which decisions are questioned, the student government organization in one midwestern school set out to formulate a fair and equitable due process procedure. The writer presents the Appeals Board procedure here as a model. (Editor)

Academic leadership directly helps faculty members, administrative leaders, and professional support persons improve the quantity and quality of student learning. Those who regularly lead decision-making and action-taking processes in curriculum, instruction, and assessment of student learning can be called academic leaders. This article focuses…

The Conceptual Curriculum Network is a model for curriculum planning that identifies essential aspects of curriculum planning, indicates flow within the planning process, and explains the interrelationship of essential aspects of the planning. (Author/IRT)