This article is a literature review of the professional competencies and personal qualities commonly associated with successful leadership in rural schools. Multiple definitions of the term rural are provided. A delimitation of this research is that findings reflect literature published from 2005-2015, positioning this document as a current…

The vital role of principalship in improving schools in general and enhancing student achievement in particular has been well documented. Given its importance, there is a need for tools to improve principalship, particularly ones emphasizing those dimensions associated with student achievement. Given the accountability movement, with its…

Suggests an empirical model to test the assumption that conflict and consensus theories of organizational management can be combined, with the central concept being power. Three studies supporting the model suggest that it has considerable heuristic and empirical potential. (JW)

Through observation, interviews, and a review of school documents in a small suburban elementary school, researchers sought information concerning how faculties make sense of a changeover in the principalship. The research was conducted from a cognitive perspective. The study found that teachers' views of administrative succession and the norms of…

The need for further research was indicated by the results of a limited exploration of the concept that principal's communications with teachers mediate between the principal's leadership styles and the effectiveness of the organizations they head. Twenty-seven Kansas elementary principals of schools with student populations between 215 and 315…

This study was undertaken to determine the extent of the perceived communication and support linkages between high school principals and vocational agriculture teachers in the state of Indiana. A survey questionnaire using a Likert-type scale was mailed to all vocational agricultural teachers and their respective high school administrators in the…

Alternative and emergent organizational perspectives are potentially useful in studying the organization and operation of public elementary schools. In particular, the image of organizations as loosely coupled systems is applicable to educational organizations. Yet, recent research indicates that tight linkages enhance school effectiveness. This…

This study investigated what university and college department chairpersons believe are the most important duties of their position, how they view their roles, and the relationship of perceived roles and duties. Possible role definitions included seeing department chair work as leader, scholar, faculty developer, or manager. The study surveyed 800…

Examines the effects on school administrators' influence of the formal relationships established by collective bargaining and of administrators' leadership styles. A survey conducted in 20 Chicago-area high schools measures as a dependent variable teachers'"professional zone of acceptance" or psychological contract. (MCG)

Using Karl Weick's concept of organizing, argues that the information processing systems of administrators and teachers are largely separate. (JW)

Data collected from 944 teachers in 46 elementary schools revealed that principal authenticity was significantly correlated with teachers' trust in principals, colleagues, and organizations. In addition, all these dimensions of trust were moderately and significantly correlated with each other. (MLF)

Examines teacher resistance using a naturalistic case study of four eighth grade middle school teachers. Describes and analyzes their resistance to institutional and cultural politics. Concludes that these activities may lead to counterhegemonic possibilities. (FMW)

Contends that, in the culture of professional egalitarianism that often prevails in schools, teachers are likely to accord power only to expert principals. Asserts that this can lead to weak coordination and control of a school's instructional program. Reports on results of a study of 17 elementary schools that support this viewpoint. (CFR)

The study was conducted in a major United States city which was under a court order to desegregate its schools. The school district responded by establishing a series of magnet schools. This method was designed to bring whites voluntarily into movement for desegregation. Three middle schools were studied to assess the relationship between teachers…

As part of the Study of Dissemination Efforts Supporting School Improvement, researchers looked at how the activities of, perceptions of, and opinions about the building administrator affect the outcome of efforts to implement new practices. This paper describes a sample of building administrators working in the 146 school districts that…