This paper outlines the methodological framework of a discourse study of the Austrian school system and presents findings on the question of what underlying meanings and ideologies are mediated by practices of self-regulated learning and how this contributes to the reproduction of neoliberal societies. In the first section I will discuss how…

Public school supervision in the United States has been historically influenced by its roots in western Europe and unique characteristics of the American educational system. Much history of school supervision describes it as a series of disjointed and unrelated events. And supervision appears to simply reflect greater social and educational…

From an organizational perspective, this paper synthesizes research on instructional leadership at the secondary level to provide principals with useful school management models to overcome obstacles to effective supervision. In addition, this paper analyzes the properties of secondary schools that shape principals' work; reviews their daily…

Correlates two research projects and one review to provide a descriptive model for three styles of principal behavior in their role as change facilitator: responder, manager, and initiator. Implications are derived concerning the relationship between change facilitator style and implementation success, school climate, and potential for…

Identifies common characteristics among high-performing principals in their organizational context. These include a combination of personal vision, information sensing and analytic skills, and interpersonal skills, which collectively generate a schoolwide commitment to a common set of values. (TE)

This book is based on a review of the literature on decentralization and teacher management. The focus is on basic formal education, mainly the primary and junior secondary levels of schooling, and on presenting a rationale for decentralizing teacher management. The book presents three models of decentralized teacher management, explores the…

A review of literature on the principal's changing role in shared decision making is provided in this paper, which discusses the following areas: policy development; the egalitarian ethic for teacher participation; the principal/faculty relationship; the principal's functions in shared decision making; and elements of successful decision making.…

Identification of the dimensions of effective supervisory practice is the focus of this literature review of the past 15 years. The two main objectives are to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and skills for effective educational supervision and to verify the importance of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills from a sample of practitioners. The…

Contrasts the realities of instructional leadership with the ideal, examining the overlap of instructional leadership and supervision. By reviewing instructional leadership depicted in three studies on the work life of principals, readers get a view through the schoolhouse window. Solutions to the problems of fragmentation and change are…

Postmodernists have criticized modern conceptions of supervision as bureaucratic, hierarchical, and oppressive. This paper asserts that the postmodern proclivity to completely eschew expert supervision, evaluation, and judicious use of directive supervision is misguided, potentially limiting, and dangerous. The paper argues that collegial…

This paper describes issues and trends in kindergarten. There is consensus in early childhood education that a major shift in kindergarten curriculum has led to a focus on continuity of achievement rather than continuity of development. Demographic trends for the 1990's in early childhood education include: (1) increases in the number of children;…

As the instructional leaders of the schools, principals have both the responsibility and the authority to bring about substantive improvements in their reading programs, their faculties, and ultimately in the reading achievement of the pupils in their charge. For this reason, they should seek constantly to upgrade their ability to supervise school…

The principal coordinates curriculum change in the public schools. Critical features of effective curriculum implementation are open communication, a strong staff development program, and daily encouragement and support of faculty members. Planning and organization, financial support, and human support are among the principal's significant…

Suggests resources and practices that elementary school principals can use to help them fulfill their roles in successful reading programs. (RL)

Argues that the school principal's tasks in meeting the needs and concerns of ever-changing schools are numerous, complex, and challenging. Identifies 38 major roles of the principal, including creating a visible presence in the school and supervising instructional activities of teachers. Examines the principal's instructional leadership roles,…