A growing body of research has emphasised the importance of school leadership for quality improvement in schools, which reinforces the importance of school leaders' continuous professional development in working life. However, less is known about the professional development of experienced principals. Against this background, the purpose of this…

This qualitative study of four executive doctoral programs for experienced educational leaders examines the relationship between specific program features and learning opportunities for students. I found that the weekend format, cohort model, and professionally grounded curriculum and assessments provided important opportunities for reflective…

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…

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…

To help vocational education administrators produce a personal plan for professional development, this manual describes how to use needs assessment instruments, prepare the feedback, and interpret the feedback. An introduction briefly reviews the project that developed the process and defines potential users and needs assessment. The needs…

As states transfer more responsibility for education decisions to local school systems, effective leadership at the local level is essential. This report presents the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) model for leadership development, as practiced by the SREB Leadership Academy. Since 1991, teams from 12 school systems in the southern…

The Administrator Development Academy (ADA) is a 6-week preparation program for aspiring school administrators, developed by the Department of Educational Administration at a large state university in a midwestern city. Since 1983, the program's approach has shifted from one based on traditional discussions and lectures to one centered on the…

A principal and assessor for an Alabama school system describes the professional benefits of her experience with the NASSP Assessment Center Project: peer interaction, informal exchanges, and close personal contact with five other practicing administrators. (TE)

A South Carolina high school band director describes his experience with the Springfield Simulation, a role-playing seminar/workshop where individuals are assigned roles and situations that will aid them in developing administrative skills. (TE)

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…

According to a Pennsylvania assessment center director, the assessment center process provides continuous opportunities for professional development and allows for the sharing of concerns and understandings with others across the nation. (TE)

Based on her own experience, a trainer of assessors for the NASSP Assessment Center Project describes the essential skills and practices needed for successful assessor training. She emphasizes the importance of collegiality and mutual respect between trainers and trainees. (TE)

Administrators from local school districts in the southwest were consulted on three issues regarding the operational aspects of staff development. First, an effort was made to ascertain the conditions determining whether staff development programs are mandatory or voluntary. While staff development for administrative personnel is normally…