As school-based management and collaborative decision making are implemented in the educational system, the superintendent's traditional "clockworks" role will undergo transformation. This article explores the necessary leadership characteristics and skills for assuming this new role. Superintendents must be instructional, transformative, and…

Longitudinal data from blue-collar maintenance personnel and utility engineers were used to identify the plausible mediators between participative decision making (PDM) and job satisfaction (JS). Covariance structure analysis was also performed on the data. Role ambiguity, perceived obstacles, and performance-reward expectancy were found to…

Discusses marginalization of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers and students and calls on the ESL professionals to reshape the academy, to move from a pedagogy that stresses assimilation to one that strengthens students' voices and choices. (18 references) (GLR)

Based on the author's experiences working with several elementary schools, this article explores numerous issues confronting change agents who venture directly into grass-roots school reform projects. Focus is on the change-agent role and issues concerning ideology, power, and commitment. Outside consultants should be participants rather than…

Examined relations between patterns of commitment to work and parenting and role strain among 102 middle-class fathers and 194 mothers. For fathers of preschoolers in dual-earner marriages, pattern of low work-high parental commitment was associated with least role strain. Relations between commitment patterns and role strain were conditioned by…

Responds to previous article in which O'Neil and Greenberger examined relations between patterns of commitment to work and to parenting and level of role strain in parents of preschool-age children. Discusses conceptual/theoretical issues and measurement issues raised in O'Neil and Greenberger and considers what their findings mean. (NB)

Responds to previous article in which Marks critiques authors' article examining relations between patterns of commitment to work and to parenting and level of role strain in parents of preschool-age children. Responds to criticisms by Marks, considering both theoretical and methodological issues. (NB)

Presents conceptual reorientation for providing responsive psychological services to older adults, focusing on need to develop prevention programs that encourage maintenance of social roles. Discusses changes in social structures that encourage more active social engagement, with examples from housing options, part-time employment, and ways to…

Analyzes a policy issue involving British government/mass media effort to ridicule progressive education. The analysis draws on the experience of a primary school portrayed in a current affairs television program as glorifying progressive educational practices. The central government employed the language of myth, via the media, to create a public…

Examines responses of K-12 students about their conception of heroes. Shows that all students employ an operational definition of hero, and tend to name someone whom they personally know. Identifies an increasing concentration on sustained behavior over a period of time for choosing a hero as students become older. (DSK)

Introduces this annual theme issue on the expanding role of the teacher. Maintains that an increasingly recurrent theme in conversations about education is scaling down and refocusing on what is central to teaching and learning. Asserts that the biggest challenge lies in how to actually do this. Concludes that teachers' basic contract with the…

Expectations for the principalship have mushroomed during the past 20 years. Principals are key reform agents and held mercilessly accountable. Candidates are in short supply. Capable principals are great assets, not heroic beings. Leadership is not centrally vested and must be distributed more broadly. (Contains 36 references.) (MLH)

In interview, president of the American Council on Education, Robert H. Atwell, offers his perspectives on the current state of the college presidency; its pressures, rewards, and frustrations; and what he'd like to see administrators do differently. Qualities of an effective president include high energy, tolerance for ambiguity, good listening…

The Policy Forum estimates that only about one-quarter of today's principals (20,000 out of 80,000) possess essential instructional leadership skills. Facing contradictory expectations, principals are often confused about whom to please and how to do their jobs. The Principal's Leadership Institute can help with specific improvement plans. (MLH)

School technology departments bridge the gap between the technology industry and the classroom. Integrating technology means both teaching and supporting faculty. The technology department's roles and responsibilities must be constantly redefined and reevaluated. Financial resources should be allocated to allow ongoing training and incremental…