Describes a multistate study focusing on six school districts that had engaged in districtwide school-improvement plans based on effective-schools research. The study examined superintendents' behaviors and activities to determine how they facilitated the school-improvement process. Findings showed that each superintendent (through his/her focus,…

Reports a study that investigated teacher, principal, and superintendent perceptions regarding teachers' ability to evaluate principals' performance on seven effective school leadership dimensions. Results from the Teacher Evaluation of Principals Survey indicated there was a shift in attitude by administrators toward favoring teacher evaluation…

The superintendent of Portland (Oregon) Schools defends the district's development of "baseline essays" explaining the contributions of African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and European Americans to world cultures. Criticized for promoting factual inaccuracies, the project attempts to foster cultural…

Administrators across the nation have encountered vigorous challenges against textbooks, practices, and procedures that critics find laden with occult and New Age values. Attacks are becoming more aggressive, better organized, and well financed. This article and accompanying sidebars discuss pressure group tactics and ways to counter them. The…

Presents the results of a study of 24 superintendents who served in 1 rural school district for 12 years or more. The superintendents interviewed shared demographic information, insights into their school boards, and professional opinions concerning the reasons for their longevity. Most-cited reasons were a stable school board, open communication,…

School executives should learn the value of effective spin control. Politically savvy principals and superintendents keep their public-relations message simple, consider emotional appeal, repeat the message constantly, play up schools' inclusiveness as a strength, pay attention to forming both questions and answers, discredit negative messengers,…

Increasingly, districts are using deferred compensation arrangements as part of the superintendent's total compensation package. Superintendents can fund such plans by purchasing tax-deferred annuities or single-premium life insurance policies. The latter seems a better plan for both the school board and the superintendent's family. (MLH)

Some superintendents and school board members tout early retirement plans as a way to reduce school personnel costs and offer attractive employee benefit at the same time. However, such plans are not always a sound idea. Potential benefits depend on a district's financial outlook, its staffing structure, and its goals for students. (MLH)

When interviewed about school personnel's serious misconduct incidents, 50 superintendents indicated they case managed the incidents, mindful of due process. Comparisons were made with a previous study of principals. Results suggested that institutional organizations theory's blanket emphasis on ritualistic legitimation, the logic of confidence,…

Three rural district superintendents were asked to share their thoughts about managing rural school systems. Generally, rural superintendents must have wide-ranging educational interests, stay informed of current research, be actively involved in curriculum development, stretch scarce resources, and deal effectively with diverse personalities and…

Intelligent, abrasive, and combative, Baltimore County School Superintendent Stuart Berger is committed to fighting hard for change. Charged with implementing the district's ambitious educational objectives, Berger has pushed for all-day kindergartens, school breakfast programs, an office of family services, improved middle school programs, and a…

Under restructuring, the roles and responsibilities of upperlevel school executives and middle managers are rapidly shifting. Districts are creating new job titles, and central-office personnel find themselves competing with outside contractors. Superintendents can help by creating a trusting environment, giving staff a sense of mission, showing…

Advises school superintendents who sit at the negotiating table to develop personal detachment and remain quiet if the session is open to the public. Quotes several collective bargaining experts who say school boards are courting disaster if they allow superintendents to negotiate with teacher unions. (MLF)

Drawing on relevant literature and a qualitative study of 13 women superintendents, this article explains why an ethic of care is essential. Many women in positions of power use a collaborative, social-production model because they are uncomfortable with a social-control model and because they believe relationships are important. Study…

In New Mexico, 18 out of 89 school districts are on the four-day school week. So are many rural Colorado, Oregon, and Colorado schools. Implemented as a fiscal last resort, this schedule has had unexpected educational benefits for districts. Attendance has improved and student achievement on standardized tests remains stable. (MLH)