Examines the political thinking underpinning strategies and counterstrategies used by school administrators and black leaders struggling over the fate of seven black youths who protested against unfair treatment in their suburban high school. Midlevel administrators aligned with bureaucratic control images were ineffective at interpreting and…

Provides a bibliography of introductory resources regarding community college leadership roles. Explores whether there is a leadership crisis in the community college, if such a leadership crisis can be predicted, and if there is, actually, an excess of leadership. (Contains 15 resources.) (AUTH/NB)

From a random sample of 3,744 school board members, responses from 968 (26 percent) ranked 17 facets of school board service. Additional data include views from 250 superintendents and demographic, personal, and school board information presented as national averages and by region. Finally, listings of major problems are compared with concerns of…

Examines the ways in which reflection leads to better decision making and better administration. Discusses the following three sources of knowledge available to administrators who choose to enhance their effectiveness through reflection: (1) theoretical; (2) empirical; and (3) experiential. Examines the integration of knowledge and action through…

Examines the impact of administrator staff development programs on individuals and districts. Steps to help school districts improve evaluation efforts include examining school district culture and its support for development; ensuring that there are clear objectives and adequate resources for evaluation; and linking program goals to effective…

Based on 135 empirical studies conducted since 1974, research is needed on the principal's impact on student outcomes, characteristics of teachers' practices generated from theories of teacher development, and school culture. Further research should also explore the relative cost effectiveness of further efforts to increase administrator…

A two-year national study of effective college presidents found that effective presidents think and behave differently from their representative counterparts. Three basic leadership attitudes and behaviors were: those related to the person; those reflected in the position; and those evident in social relationships. (MLW)

A study of governing board effectiveness in private liberal arts and comprehensive colleges is discussed. Effective boards manifest their concern for community in three ways: they enact institutional values; consult with key constituencies; and judge their own performance in terms of their relationships with others. (MLW)

New foreign language department chairpersons, although good teachers and scholars, often lack administrative training or skills for their new positions. Critical areas that new chairpersons must tackle include relationships with deans and other administrators, their administrative persona, and their use of institutional and professional…

Discusses the requirements of the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program and describes the characteristics of recipient schools. Indicates that the Blue Ribbon is awarded to schools with clearly articulated vision, strong leadership, emphasis on universal learning, parent and community support, and caring faculty and staff. (MAB)

Examines five important aspects of effective school leadership: flexibility; balance between task and human needs; understanding of the demands of specific environments; multiple vision for interpreting organizational activity (structural, human resource, political, and symbolic) coupled with targeted response; and a managing process consisting of…

Examines causal relationships among principal behavior, school organizational processes, and intermediate outcomes in the school context. Survey results of teachers, students, and parents from 30 schools are discussed. Argues that principals can be evaluated directly in terms of their effects on teachers but only indirectly for their effects on…

Summarizes findings of a study that identified the criteria of managerial effectiveness at department level in secondary schools. Outlines both the "universally applicable" and "education-specific" competencies. Discusses implications regarding the selection, appraisal, and training of managerial staff in secondary education.…

People in noneducation fields recognize and accept leadership behaviors linked to using rewards and punishments, relying on loyalty and trust, and yielding results. Many noneducation professionals think educators are caught up in a communitarian/participation cult that encourages mediocre job performance. However, schools are a business and must…

Examines relationships among Ohio superintendents' leadership styles, style adaptability, and certain district characteristics identified as change oriented. Survey data from 611 superintendents showed that only district expenditure per student was significantly and positively related to leadership-style adaptability. Years of administrative…