Preparation and professional development can help principals be more effective leaders, but little research has examined what specific approaches are most useful. A study of 462 California principals and the teachers and students in their schools shows that high-quality preservice preparation for principals is associated with stronger teacher…

A growing body of research points to the substantial influence of principals on school conditions and students' learning. But how can principals learn to be good leaders? And are there professional learning strategies that make a difference in principal effectiveness? This study, which is part of a larger project synthesizing the research on…

In this study, it was aimed to determine the views of the education inspectors about the in-service training (IST) they attended and the problems they experience during IST. Quantitative and qualitative design were used together in the study. The data were collected through the In-Service Training Assessment Scale (ISTA) and an open-ended…

According to "Training" magazine's annual Salary Survey of 867 readers, training salaries took a big hit in 2009-2010, plunging an average of $2,334. The average increase in salary in the last 12 months (not including a promotion or change of employer) continued to nosedive, coming in at 2.43 percent in 2009-2010 vs. 3.08 the year before.…

This paper describes a process for determining professional development needs of principals as a basis for designing inservice programs. The study took place in Independent School District 196, one of the largest districts in Minnesota. A questionnaire and the Nominal Group Technique (NFT), a structured group meeting that follows a prescribed…

In an effort to compare five models used in delivering inservice instruction to administrators, a survey questionnaire was developed. The goals were to identify the principals' evaluations and perceptions of these models, to summarize the findings of the study, and to present the implications concerning the design of inservice education and the…

Of all the educators and administrators who affect the success and quality of a school, school principals are the most important. Modeled after teacher centers, the primary purpose of the principals' center would be to stimulate professional growth and effective administrative practices. (JN)

Professional development programs provide useful learning experiences to administrators who think strategically about the value of the programs to themselves and to their institutions of higher education. Few supervisors encourage participation, so individuals must survey the opportunities and find those that match their needs for current and…

Factors reported to be important in the design, implementation, and evaluation of professional development programs for department chairs are described. Attention is also directed to results from a goal-focused evaluation of the 6-year-old program to train new department heads in the nine state universities of Florida, a program that is being…

Makes a case for more developmental activities for principals, lists characteristics of ideal programs, identifies important competencies for which principals have indicated training needs, and reviews ways to overcome problems involved. (JM)

The Ontario (Canada) Council for Leadership in Educational Administration (OCLEA) was established in 1973 to meet the need of the province's educational administrators for inservice professional development. Its objectives include meeting these professional development needs, developing recommendations for professional preparation programs, and…

The long-term success of professional development programs depends on the quality of the original offering and availability of support services. Methodological issues relating to follow-up evaluation are discussed. The evaluation of an inservice program for primary school principals is described. (Author/DF)

Traditionally, the professional growth and development of school administrators has been left up to the individual. A model for alternative administrator training has five basic operational criteria: collaboration; peer leadership; a sound cognitive base; experiential activities; and an ongoing support system. (JN)

Information to help local school districts in Minnesota plan for and use revenue reserved for staff development is provided in this research-referenced planning guide. Following the introduction, chapter 2 focuses on decision-making aspects of staff development and offers a conceptual model of decision-making choice points in the planning process.…

Describes an assessment center that not only identifies strong candidates for administrative positions but also helps participants improve weak skills. (Author/JM)