Coaching entails helping executives one on one to learn and to make the most of that learning. Because these encounters involve executives in different stages of their careers and in varied settings, coaching represents a continuum of roles. Consultants typically play four roles in working with chief executives, boards, and senior managers of…

Issues in the educational administration knowledge base are discussed in this paper, with attention to its definition, extent, and usefulness. The discussion is based on the premises that the knowledge base lacks: (1) organization; (2) definition and applicability; and (3) comprehensiveness and usefulness. Other hindrances to developing a…

This book provides a personal look at the styles of several school leaders, probes the literature on school leadership, and explores some of the instruments designed to measure leadership style. The introduction explains the need to change leadership styles as education changes. Chapter 1 examines the redefinition of leadership roles and the role…

Six strategies for using reflective narratives to promote the professional development of school leaders are briefly described in this paper, which is designed to accompany "School Leadership: Reflections on Practice by California's Instructional Leaders." Narratives are characterized by subjective perceptions that are shaped by personal…

There is growing public recognition that the most important route to educational improvement is through enhancing the skills and status of adults who work within the education system. The purpose of this document is to provide a resource to school personnel who are attempting to improve their professional development efforts; hence both sections…

Now in the third year of operation, the Oklahoma Leadership in Educational Administration (LEAD) Project is implementing a professional development program for state educational administrators. The mission of the project is to develop and implement a research-based leadership skills training model to improve the effectiveness of practicing school…

Maine's 1985 Administrator Certification Law crafted new preservice, induction, and professional development expectations keyed to 12 competency areas. Between 1986-1988, three pilot sites were established to assess the efficacy of the competencies and test a new procedure linking renewal to an administrator support system based on three…

In response to the issues of global competition, the aging workforce, and the rapid rate of technological innovation and how today's professionals must meet these challenges, an examination is made of the key developmental approaches to maintaining and enhancing the knowledge and skills of midcareer and senior-level professionals. Twenty-one…

This paper asserts that task analysis and related task-based approaches to assessing leadership attributes provide a limited view of how leaders function in educational settings. It proposes that several assessment approaches show promise in identifying vocational education administrator leadership attributes. Strengths and limitations associated…

Since principals are chiefly responsible for school improvement and effectiveness, professional development opportunities must be provided throughout their administrative careers. Research has identified certain behavior patterns causally related to principals' effectiveness. Since the summer of 1984, the North Central Regional Staff Development…

Computing literacy programs at Iona College are discussed, including developments since 1979. Information is provided on the college's computing facilities, software resources, competencies defined before and after 1980, and program funding. Additionally, a computer literacy program for administrators is considered in detail. The following…

In a pilot test, superintendents participated in self-assessment activities in the American Association of School Administrator's Executive Development Center program. Activity stages centered on professional attitudes and skills, personal health, and fitness. Data provided a profile for professional development. Participants felt activities were…

Teacher education in Germany has no subdiscipline dedicated to school administration. School principals and candidates for this position are offered short inservice training, but most of the necessary skills are acquired on the job. It remains unclear how principals master this challenge and to what extent these learning opportunities are…

This book brings together the work of practitioners actively engaged in developing new approaches to management education, and their application. The 10 chapters are: Chapter 1, "Rethinking Management Education: An Introduction" (Christopher Grey and Robert French); chapter 2, "Can Management Education be Educational?" (Alan B. Thomjas and Peter…

Sound management principles can help ensure that early childhood programs provide sound services to children and families. This document contains three training modules detailing fundamental management concepts to help Head Start staff and parents provide quality services. Module 1, "What is Management?" helps participants recognize how…