A review of literature indicates that relations between entry-level, female superintendents and school boards have been problematic. This paper presents findings of a study that identified the major issues faced by four female entry-level superintendents, how they handled these situations, and the strategies they used during their first year as…

Students' goals (motives) for their schooling have been the focus of much recent research and have been shown to significantly influence important aspects of their cognitive engagement and academic achievement. This paper presents the results of a qualitative investigation into the nature and characteristics of students' social and academic goals,…

The most critical variable for school success is the leadership behavior of the school principal. However, the principal's role is becoming increasingly complex. This book offers suggestions for the beginning principal. Each chapter is geared to help new principals develop personal plans for professional development and improvement. Following the…

This guide contains materials for a general construction course. Introductory materials include a list of videos, schedule for the 10-day course, and tools and material list. The course is divided into 10 sections. Each section consists of some or all of these components: list of trainee objectives, instructor notes, instructor outline,…

Findings of the first phase of a longitudinal study that developed a descriptive profile of new principals in New York City are presented in this paper. A survey of 216 newly appointed principals in New York City elicited 158 responses, a 73 percent response rate. Findings indicate that despite the emphasis on aspects of transformational…

This paper presents four studies which illustrate the variety of deficits in executive function displayed by individuals with autism. The concept of executive function is used to encompass all the mental operations which are involved in self-reflective and goal-directed behavior. Four forms of executive control are addressed: mental disengagement,…

Years ago the prevailing assumption was that there was something wrong with "unmotivated" minority children, but gradually educators have come to realize that there may be something wrong with the schools, and that it is possible to do something to engage children in learning. Theories of motivation are shifting from thinking about motivation as…

The purpose of this report is to gauge the short-term impact of assessment, counseling, and orientation services upon entering students in fall and spring semesters of the 1997-98 academic year. Specific research questions relate to the following topics: (1) demographic characteristics of the entering matriculants; (2) patterns of participation in…

This study presents an analysis of a previous evaluation conducted by the Malawi (East Africa) government of the usefulness of long-term, off-shore (mostly in the United States) graduate education and results of a recent survey comparing career attitudes of participants and non-participants in a pre-departure orientation program. Following a…

While America's two-year colleges are diverse in function, mission, clientele, and organizational structure, they share a common identity in their commitment to a developmental philosophy. A rarely used, but nonetheless tenable and cost-saving path to development involves exploring strategies which simultaneously contribute to faculty, student,…

The trend of teacher collegiality and professional development in educational restructuring is examined in this paper within the context of growing demands for accountability and productivity. The increased international interest in teacher collegiality through various forms of school-based professional development is viewed as a means of…

Despite the recognition of the problems faced by beginning teachers, the provision of effective induction programs both in Australia and other nations has been less than universal, with only approximately one-half of beginning Australian teachers involved in any substantive form of teacher induction program. This paper offers a review of…

Lack of institutional guidelines for the preparation of course study guides at Northern Maine Technical College (NMTC) allowed for wide variation in the quality of the guides produced. To develop a resource manual that would provide guidelines for the development of study guides at NMTC, a study was conducted to determine the elements that should…

A study was conducted to provide much-needed, in-depth qualitative information and direction regarding the experiences, attitudes, value systems, and aspirations of various segments of the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) recipients. Eight focus groups, each composed of 8 to 10 persons, were conducted in May 1990 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Discussion…

Development and implementation processes of the Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) program, a teacher evaluation and support system in Connecticut, are described. Purposes of the BEST teacher induction program include facilitating the acquisition of effective teaching behaviors, supporting new teachers, and developing veteran teachers'…