This paper examines the consequences of principals' graduate training in educational administration for school effectiveness and asks: Are schools led by administrators with extensive, formal preparation more effective than schools led by principals with little or no graduate training? The data were derived from the School and Staffing Survey…

Although much has been written to describe the changing role of teachers in the professional-development school, little is known about the role of the principal in bringing about educational change. This paper describes the role of the principal and the issues involved in implementing change in Texas Professional-Development Schools (PDSs). The…

In recent years, professional development for public school educators has come to be seen as a key component of school improvement plans, particularly large-scale systemic change programs. This Digest outlines what research and best practice suggest about effective professional development for elementary and secondary teachers working in…

In 1991, the superintendency was characterized by a high turnover rate and a shortage of qualified applicants willing to take the job. In addition, no two states had exactly the same certification standards for superintendents. This paper presents findings of a national survey that examined superintendent-certification requirements by state.…

Addressing policies and concerns related to transfer and articulation, this manual provides guidelines developed by the New York State Transfer and Articulation Association to assist college personnel in serving transfer students. An introduction describes the purpose, goals, and objectives of the Association; identifies the intended audience; and…

This digest examines the spread of mentoring in the United States, obstacles to realizing the potential of mentoring as a vehicle of reform, needed research, and selected issues of policy and practice. While the education community understands that mentors have a positive effect on teacher retention, the question of what mentors should do, what…

Research supports the following four key elements of any comprehensive education-improvement effort: (1) high standards for all students; (2) teachers better trained for teaching to high standards; (3) flexibility to stimulate local reform, coupled with accountability for results; and (4) close partnerships among families, communities, and…

Research seeking to evaluate the effectiveness of SBM has been complicated by the complex policies and practices that have been implemented with great variation. Given this difficulty, this book presents findings of a study that sought to understand the ways in which school-based management (SBM) actually operates in a school recognized for its…

These five papers are from a symposium facilitated by Verna J. Willis on the learning organization at the 1995 Academy of Human Resource Development (HRD) conference. "Processes of Organizational Learning: A Framework for Training and Development Policies and Methodologies in a Learning Organization Perspective" (Massimo Tomassini)…

This paper summarizes ongoing theoretical work and the findings of a recent research project in nursing and midwifery education to understand the problems encountered with using scientific knowledge in actual health care practice and to address these problems with educational program redesign. Case studies and mini-studies are used to investigate…

This paper describes an experience with using the internet for collaborative peer consultation on a problem that arose with an ex-client. It illustrates the utility of professional electronic mail lists in providing timely information about how to proceed with relatively rarely encountered clinical situations. A professional therapist posted a…

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.…

This analysis aimed at determining whether implemented technology systems and staff development with those systems at professional development schools have affected the academic performance of learners. Eight Texas elementary and secondary schools that in 1994-95 enrolled 5,337 students across 5 school districts comprised the sample for the study.…

This evaluation, conducted in 1994, examines all of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts' Arts in Education programs and assesses the future direction of the programs. The evaluation was conducted with a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods so as to provide the Commission with the data it needs to help guide planning and further…

A project produced and disseminated to adult basic and literacy education practitioners in Pennsylvania a newsletter containing relevant information designed to meet their professional development and awareness needs. It prepared and disseminated an 8-12 page newsletter for the months September 1993 through June 1994. Information contained in the…