The perceptions of student activists about college administrators were studied. For purposes of the study, which was part of a larger exploration of student activism, activists were defined as college students who were both involved in and committed to social change. Also studied was the type of relationship student activists would like to have…

"Help Wanted" signs are springing up outside schools. The shortage of school administrators is not coming, it is here. To thwart the shortage and keep schools on the cutting edge, diligence in cultivating, training, and inspiring a new generation of school leaders--especially for the principalship, must be exercised. Staffing the Principalship…

The responsibilities of school board members have increased in complexity since school boards were first established over 100 years ago. Members must keep track of many educational reforms and changes in the educational governance structure, the increasing number of "players" involved in educational policy, and the increased number and seriousness…

Many inner-city schools are performing poorly. Measurable outputs, such as test scores and graduation rates, are low, while schools are often unsafe. Some schools, however, still manage to provide a high-quality education for their students. In this study, leadership was examined as a factor in the creation of good schools. Eight principals of…

Two education initiatives in Ohio, the Pairwise Mentoring System and the Baldrige Approach for School Improvement, show promise for raising the achievement of K-12 students. As busy educational leaders who are expected to lead change efforts in their schools, preservice and inservice administrators can benefit by seeing the connections between new…

This participant guide addresses the need for and attributes of school leadership in the new century. To implement this initiative, a steering committee has been assigned two tasks: (1) to find consensus and to report on the qualifications of school leaders in the 21st century; and (2) to design a professional development system that will support…

The principalship may be the most demanding school administrator role. Principals strive to provide vision and unity of purpose within challenging, dynamic, and highly political settings. To enhance job security, principals should refine their interpersonal skills, maintain a proper world perspective, delegate tasks appropriately, look for signs…

Presents a measurement scale specific to principals' self-efficacy in coping with change in a (Western Australian) restructuring context. Outlines the scale's psychometric properties and demonstrates its usefulness, using a series of regression equations. Self-efficacy can be a powerful mediator in understanding the reactions to change. (20…

A little creativity can help produce positive perceptions of principals and their schools. Principals should bombard the news media, make positive phone calls, offer homework assistance, post assignments on cable television, use parent intervention, lure parents with special events, hold enrichment assemblies, set up a Hall of Fame, keep track of…

Summarizes a study examining the entry-year problems of new principals in developing countries, based on a survey of 250 beginning and 250 veteran principals of black schools in South Africa's Northwest Province. New principals were faced with systemic problems, including inadequate physical facilities and teaching grants, an ever-increasing…

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Public Schools have replaced checklists with a result-based, profit-sharing administrator evaluation system that rewards educational excellence and provides principals with needed assistance or support. Effective principals enjoy substantial autonomy; marginal principals receive massive central-office…

Much camp counselor work takes place where no administrator is present. Gives managerial tools that help "see the invisible" before campers arrive and during camp. Discusses methods of evaluating staff. Studies from other fields with similar managerial situations show that leadership through articulation of a vision and staff attitudes are more…

Reports responses of 643 public school principals in British Columbia to a survey on coping with administrative stress. Principals who set realistic goals, approach problems optimistically and objectively, engage in spiritual-growth activities, take minivacations, and are actively involved in their communities are likely to be in better health and…

A professional development program for leadership, Coaching Leaders to Attain Student Success (CLASS), prepares individuals to coach new and experienced school principals. The program is the product of collaboration between the New Teacher Center at University of California Santa Cruz and the Association of California School Administrators. (MLF)

Describes reasons for increase in the number of superintendents age 60 or older. Includes personal experiences of several superintendents age 70 or older. (PKP)