The headteacher's role in school improvement and the changing nature of the role suggest the need to investigate how new school leaders learn their jobs, that is, their socialization to the leader role. This study has two purposes: (1) to identify the content and methods used in the professional and organizational socialization experiences of new…

Most administrator training programs focus on what educational leaders should do rather than what they should not do. This digest offers an overview of mistakes administrators should try to avoid. The emphasis on the negative stems from the belief that undesirable behaviors are far fewer than desirable ones. The digest reviews the types of…

Suggestions on how to navigate the difficult transition from teacher to administrator are presented in this book. Chapter 1 discusses the stages of change that translate into the stages of grief and loss and the sense of unpreparedness new administrators face. New communication patterns are explored in chapter 2, followed by a discussion of time…

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the effectiveness of a New York City mentoring program in meeting the needs of first-year principals. Data were derived from: (1) a survey of 44 out of 109 new elementary school principals who participated in the Bank Street College of Education mentoring program in New York City; (2) a focus…

The Louisiana Leadership in Educational Administration Development (LEAD) program is a technical assistance network designed to help newly appointed administrators improve their instructional leadership skills. LEAD began in 1987 as a 3-year federal grant and was adopted by the Louisiana State Board of Education in 1989 as a certification…

In this paper critical skills needed by beginning principals are identified in order to guide mentors as they support and assist novice principals by indicating effective ways of dealing with critical responsibilities. A review of related literature and research-based information is presented followed by a description of the study. Findings were…

This monograph focuses on beginning principals and the changes Oregon school districts are making in the induction process of new principals. Chapter 1 summarizes current research and theories that describe the socialization process of newcomers and the problems of becoming a school leader. Chapter 2 examines the current induction process. Chapter…

This paper presents the findings of a field study designed to develop a descriptive and explanatory model of the on-the-job socialization of first-year elementary school principals by examining changes in their initial perspective during their first year in the principalship. The theoretical model that emerged from the study indicates that…

This book provides an overview of the internship as a central ingredient of effective preservice programs. Intended for those who are involved in the preparation of school administrators, the text emphasizes that preservice programs must ensure that interns will learn the skills that will make them effective leaders. The book is designed to…

This paper proceeds from the basis that leadership can only be understood in context and by viewing it from the inside. In particular, it argues that the contextual complexity of small school leadership warrants attention from researchers, policy makers and system administrators and describes the nature of this complexity as depicted in the…

Purpose: This article aims to identify the main challenges faced by headteachers after taking up their first headship in the UK. It also compares how these challenges have changed over time. Other purposes include the setting of the initial phase of headship within a whole career model and how heads become socialised into the role.…

This article is concerned with the nature of novice teaching principals' interactions in Queensland rural communities. Stories selected from case accounts are used to provide insights into the teaching principals' interrelationship with the community. The article concludes with a discussion of some implications for practice suggested by these…

The role of assistant principal is one of the least researched and discussed topics in professional journals and books on educational leadership. The ambiguity of the role allows for the ineffective use of this position and makes it a particularly difficult role to fulfill. This book can be used as a guide for practicing assistant principals and…

The Socorro Independent School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas. In response to the complex issue of a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse student population, poverty, and shrinking pool of educational leader candidates, the district launched an Assistant Principals Academy, designed to prepare individuals to step…

Governmental legislation in Great Britain has substantially changed headteachers' roles and underlined their responsibility for school improvement. This paper presents a preliminary evaluation of the HEADLAMP (Headteachers' Leadership and Management Programme) scheme for beginning principals. Interviews with some program participants revealed…