This paper is part of a larger report entitled "The Reform of American Public Education in the 1980s; Themes and Cases." A discussion on the reform of school administration, specifically the forces leading to the reform of school administration in the 1980s is presented. The first part of the report documents the forces that led to demands for…

This document examines the public relations activities occurring in K-12 and intermediate school districts, needs for other activities, and how Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA) can assist. Written surveys were mailed to 394 K-12 and Intermediate School District (ISD) superintendents. Analysis showed that very few school…

The focus of this study is the relationship between superintendents and principals and their collaborative approach to improving administrative performance. The research for this study was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, the Performance Rating Scale, which assesses the administrative performance of the school principal, was…

Youth suicide is becoming a vital, compelling issue to citizens, their families, and professional and legislative groups. Although schools are second only to families in responsibility for children's welfare, few schools have formal policies and procedures for preventing student suicide or dealing with its aftereffects. Also, numerous myths abound…

The rural superintendency offers unique challenges and insights into the educational process. Rural superintendents require a broader range of administrative training and skills than their urban counterparts, with a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills. The range of problems and daily activities encountered by the rural superintendent is…

Under the auspices of the American Association of School Administrators and the Ford Foundation, Project AWARE (Assisting Women to Advance through Resources and Encouragement) in 1981 surveyed the United States territories as well as all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data were gathered from chief state school officers on school…

For the purposes of this study, which examines the upward mobility of educational administrators, "upward mobility" is defined as a function of a combination of professional attractiveness and inside sponsorship operating in a paternalistic environment. The study tested four hypotheses within paternalistic school environments: (1)…

This paper presents a profile of and an interview with the new superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools, Joseph Hannan. The problems confronting the new superintendent are the same as those faced by the previous superintendent except for the decrease in school enrollment and a financial crisis stemming from a depressed economy. Hannan views…

A random selection of superintendents in Texas school districts with student populations of 500 to 50,000 was surveyed and a search made of the literature to determine the desired characteristics of those in the role of assistant superintendent of instruction. The information collected showed preferences concerning the field of specialization,…

The major purpose of this study is to further understanding of conflict management in educational governance. The study compares and contrasts the conflict management behaviors of 52 superintendents and 52 city managers and the conditions that are associated with such behaviors. The sample was drawn from the San Francisco (California) and Chicago…

In analyzing the managerial decisions at the central office of the Dufferin (Ontario) county board of education, this project sought to obtain the data needed to design an integrated management information system. A major component of the study was identifying users and their information needs and relating information to three different levels of…

Interviews with central office superintendents in the academic and business divisions, identification of user needs, and analysis of major management levels provided the data for designing an integrated information system for the Peel Board of Education in Ontario. A synthesis of the data into an overall framework representing the information…

The roles and responsibilities of school boards and superintendents are different, but linked. School boards are primarily concerned with establishing policy and representing the educational interests of district constituents. Superintendents are charged with translating policies into administrative practice and with providing professional…

Outside factors have changed the role of the school superintendent, leading to alterations in the personal qualities and job expectations that superintendents should have. The outside factors include increased public access to government, new public representatives, more independent political activism, less deference to authority, and a loss of…