While much has been written about how principals motivate their teachers, there is a surprising paucity of research on what motivates principals themselves. Because a principal significantly impacts the academic achievement of students and because principal turnover disproportionately impacts low-income schools, it is imperative that we find a way…

The purpose of a recent study was to determine what learning environments best address the needs of 21st-century students at the secondary level. This study concluded that the presence of a positive 21st-century learning environment is related to student satisfaction and student-teacher relationships. While the majority of the literature on…

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to discover the influence of a student achievement program implemented at one large urban high school that employed extrinsic motivation to promote student achievement on state assessments. Using organismic integration theory as the theoretical framework, 19 randomly selected students participated…

The traditional theory of motivation that equates motivation with certain incentives is too simplistic. The people and situations involved must be taken into account. Describes a plan with five contingency factors that should be recognized. (Author/MD)

Current motivation theories aid in the development of a two-step organizational change procedure applicable to educational change. The process involves constructing a climate with a psychological atmosphere that is conducive to change and directly asking others to change. (DCS)

All leaders must develop a basic understanding of personnel motivation, recognizing its complexity and theoretical foundations. Today's administrators can foster effective communication and good human relations, recognize good teaching, define educational goals clearly, and involve teachers in planning. Includes nine references. (MLH)

The three most important areas motivating the administrators surveyed were achievement, recognition, and advancement. The major problem is in the area of interpersonal relationships with subordinates and superiors. (IRT)

Qualities of the effective principal are listed here. If you need a morale boost, something to inspire, this article is for you. (Editor)

A leader's motivation tasks include recognizing followers' needs, helping them devise goals to meet these needs, and giving them confidence to accomplish these goals themselves. The small work group fills important social and emotional needs; its attitudes affect productivity, morale, and product quality. (MLH)

These authors believe that leadership traits of successful inner-city principals are needed now, or soon will be, by suburban principals, too. They describe in this article a principalship style that they feel would be an asset in any school setting. (Editor)

The author points out the need for students to be taught in early childhood healthy attitudes toward the dignity of all work and to be given early opportunities for decision making regarding their own work careers. (Editor)

Provides inspirational stories from sports that exemplify the accomplishments of motivated people. (IRT)

Ten elemental components of leadership skills are detailed, including the following: (1) good job descriptions; (2) defining the organization's mission; and (3) encouraging autonomy. (MD)

Eligibility standards for participating in extracurricular activities are definitely needed. The question is whether minimal or more restrictive standards are most effective to meet academic requirements. This article presents arguments for both minimal and higher standards and suggests that chosen standards should be a positive motivating force.…

The author proposes what he believes is a more realistic middle ground between McGregor's two theories. (JM)