A study was conducted to compare the self-directed learning readiness of National Fire Academy (NFA) fire executive development students to the theoretical norm and to other public managers. Procedures included testing 30 NFA fire executive development students with the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS). The distribution of fire…

The complete process of initiating and monitoring an evaluation program is presented, noting that the ability to assess the performance of administrators and implement programs to enhance their skills and abilities is essential to the effective management of higher learning institutions. Such field tested resources as evaluation forms, performance…

This paper briefly describes the rationale, aims, and proposed activities of an instructional management academy conducted by the Instructional Management Program at Far West Laboratory. The first academy, conducted during the 1983-1984 school year, allowed participating principals to analyze their management behavior, receive support and insight…

A management plan is outlined for the development of an inservice teacher education program. Suggested roles and responsibilities of key personnel are discussed. Critical decisions and events in the planning process are pointed out, and a management blueprint is included. This revision of an earlier guide also contains a monograph on the generic…

A career development training program in Los Angeles, California, schools has three components: (1) preservice training for participants from the district staff, self-nominated or recruited through an affirmative action plan; (2) training for new administrators; and (3) training for experienced administrators. The programs are cooperative ventures…

Thirteen ideas for marketing and implementing the assessment center concept are presented. These call for a primary focus on individuals and on excellence, preparation and organization, assessor training, assessor newsletters, accessible locations, a statewide advisory board, an action plan, confidentiality, both causal and formal meetings,…

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)

The need for networking to improve college administrators' managerial capabilities is discussed, and a new exchange program between British Columbia and England providing professional development and leadership education opportunities for senior administrators is described. Additional short-term professional development programs to help…

After consulting more than 2,500 practicing administrators and other professionals, California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) adopted new standards for administrator preparation. The strengths and weaknesses of a new program that teaches these standards are discussed. The paper It focuses on the program in terms of its new features:…

This document is four papers in one that focuses on the practice of critical collegiality through collaborative processes and how the resulting self-study may lead to positive school reform. "The Data in a Day Self-Study Process" (Kim Taylor) describes the Data in a Day process that brings teachers, parents, community members, administrators, and…

The research documented in this report builds on earlier work in the 1980s in the area of on-the-job experiences in developing effective leaders. The current study was designed to answer the following: (1) What are the significant events from which African American managers learn and develop? (2) Are the key events and lessons learned different…

Surveyed 50 experienced child care center directors about what training experiences most influenced their skill development. Found that directors often had to learn on the job; life experience strongly shapes performance; training opportunities were often outside the field; management training helps acting directors most; conferences are most…

Purpose: The paper argues that virtual situated learning environments (VSLE), designed as authentic learning experiences, can provide managers with broader learning opportunities while also cater for the learning needs of the increasing number of peripatetic managers. Design/methodology/approach: An action learning methodology, using first person…

Purpose: In this paper empirical research is presented that investigates managers' perceptions of a variety of component management skills and techniques. The aim is to identify which management development needs manufacturing SME managers perceive as most important for their continued development, and to consider contextual factors that might…

Although there are about 15,000 school districts in the United States, each headed by a superintendent, research on the superintendency has not been systematic and dynamic. This book presents a synthesis of research on the superintendency. Chapters include the following: (1) "Smoke, Mirrors, or Reality: Another Instructional Leader" (Shirley M.…