The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the relationship between the background of superintendents and their hiring of principals. This study explored whether six superintendents in Nassau County, NY hire principals based on what the research says makes a successful principal or based on their personal background and professional…

In recognition of the importance of effective school leadership, many states and districts have implemented policies and programs that aim to improve their capacity to attract and retain great principals. Too often, though, these policies and practices do not combine to form a coherent system that ensures effective leadership development. To be…

The education system in California currently faces three major challenges--teacher shortage, lack of diversity in the teacher population in terms of gender and ethnicity, and a need for more effective teachers. After school programs have the potential of addressing all these challenges in a cost-effective manner. However, for these programs to…

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…

Large school districts face a number of challenges due to their sheer size. One of these challenges involves staffing the role of the principal. With Baby Boomers reaching retirement age, large school districts, especially those experiencing growth, have to fill numerous leadership positions. In order to fill these positions efficiently and…

Examines career perspectives of primary and secondary deputy headteachers in two local education authorities in England and Wales as they consciously decide whether to strive for headship. Five categories emerged: potential aspirants, active aspirants, unpredictables, settlers, and unavailable aspirants. Deputy headteachers' career perspectives…

The assistant principalship may not be the most productive ground for future principals. Assistant principals have traditionally been disciplinarians or building managers isolated from the realities of the principalship and the school's instructional program. Some researchers have advocated dividing the assistant principalship into two roles: one…

Describes a training program conducted in Arizona from 1979 to 1983 that measurably increased the number of female principals in Arizona and markedly improved attitudes toward women as school administrators. Covers the program's antecedents, outcomes, participant recruitment and selection process, use of consultants, and workshop agendas. (PGD)

School districts have primarily stressed the instructional management aspect of the principal's role, while research has focused on principal effectiveness as a factor for increased student achievement. A synthesis of effective school characteristics identified by the literature is the first objective of this paper. A second purpose is the…

The purpose of this investigation was to search for new educational policies that would help renew and invigorate old ideas and concepts about inservice and professional development programs in the public schools. The methodology included both qualitative and quantitative functions. The key technique was an interview schedule with Likert-type…