This work is part of a wider research effort in the field of leadership and organizational development, coordinated by the University of Granada and the A.R.E.A Research Group (Analysis of Educational Reality in Andaluz), HUM/672. It was developed in the Cooperative University of Colombia, a country where technical and technological programmes…

Working from the view of schools as a system, and of school improvement as an ongoing journey (Hallinger & Heck, 2011; Jackson, 2000), this study investigated the perspectives of teacher leaders and principals from four metropolitan Catholic grade schools engaged in efforts to improve their school science programs. Built upon existing…

Even though school administrators and their leadership practices are rarely explored within science education research, our recent efforts to understand organizational influences on achievement disparities induced an elevated regard for elementary school principals. In this paper, we report on policy buffering by principals at schools whose…

An Alberta high school principal describes the process of transforming a small vocational training school into an innovative school of science and technology. While preparing school plans, this principal learned the importance of open discussion. Community participants identified seven topics for further study that were later incorporated into a…

Principals can improve programs by becoming science advocates (to teachers, students, and parents), constructing and pushing a science curriculum plan, ensuring annual funds for science materials, providing needed inservice experiences, monitoring the program, and handling likely problems. A 73-item checklist is provided for evaluating current…

This handbook is designed to assist elementary school principals in improving and maintaining quality science education programs, while strengthening their role as science curriculum leaders. The handbook can be used as a resource for disseminators as they prepare for meetings with principals' groups and as a reference that can be used by…

Thirty-three programs categorized according to their program structure are described. Sixteen programs listed under school within a school category include a bilingual-multicultural program, contemporary learning center, ecology and outdoor education, fine arts academy, career institute, music academy, literature and art, aero-dynamics,…

Several research studies that can provide direction for improving elementary school science programs are highlighted. Selected results are summarized and suggestions given to elementary school administrators for translating research into action in their schools, action which can lead to improved teaching and learning in science. Studies are…