Unstructured interviews conducted in 1977 with eight respected elementary and secondary school principals revealed their conceptions of the principal's role and of the skills and activities that had gone into their efforts to fill that role. The eight principals are identified in terms of their outstanding characteristics, as revealed through…

In 10 chapters, this book gives administrators and teachers a better understanding of how schools operate for the purpose of providing them with conceptual tools to improve performance. Chapter 1 relates what schools do and ought to do. Chapter 2 discusses the influence, power, authority, and role of the school principal. Chapter 3 analyzes…

In three parts, this book intends to present and illustrate a way of understanding the field of school administration and the work of administrators as craft within the context of how administrators function daily. Part 1 argues for school administrators to perceive their work as craft. Part 2 describes administrators' work as craft in action and…

Intended to help principals with the design and implementation of reading instruction in their schools, the recommendations presented in this booklet are drawn directly from the findings discussed in "Becoming a Nation of Readers" in 1984. The conclusions of the Commission on Reading are described in ways that every principal can act upon. Taking…

Teachers and administrators who understand the "politics" in schools can operate more successfully to facilitate change. This book teaches educators to identify and influence common social patterns that affect their work in school organizations. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the concept of organizational literacy and an overview of several…

Public school leadership is a constant search for balances, between and among conflicting ideas and forces, to shape difficult choices. This book is about educational leadership and administration. Chapter 1 introduces concepts and principles of leadership, and chapter 2 offers guidelines to help in the job search process. The attitudes,…

This edited work explores the experiences women can bring as superintendents in promoting school reform. Important insights drawn from the experiences of women superintendents includes the willingness of female leaders to share power, the pervasiveness of gender bias, the unique perspectives of women of color, the ways women describe success, and…

This guide provides philosophical and theological underpinning for authority and its exercise inside of Catholic schools. It examines authority from a cultural perspective and accords primary consideration to the principles of democracy, Scripture, and church teaching while reflecting upon what these imply for Catholic educational leaders. Chapter…

This paper aims to provide an examination of the entrepreneurial role of the community college president as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with that role. The author examines the literature, and presents case studies of four community colleges in Virginia. The 23 Virginia community colleges are located on 40 campuses and have…

The is a restructuring of Syracuse University (New York) in the 1990s case study for the process of institutional restructuring. Sucess was achieved by promoting the process as positive change and making it an opportunity to involve the community in decision making and to renew institutional values and mission, drawing national attention from…

Describes leader behaviors that create a constrained and negative institutional climate, illustrating those behaviors with detailed scenarios. Urges leaders to maintain formal and informal communication channels to monitor how their behavior is perceived, and to use this information to develop positive leadership behaviors that can change…

Discusses 5 quantifiable indicators of child care director effectiveness: (1) turnover rates below 10 percent; (2) sick leave below 50 percent and leave without pay below 20 percent; (3) occupancy rates at least 5 percent above community average; (4) staff costs per child-hour above $2.00; and (5) curriculum resources sufficient to engage…

Proposes a four-step plan for a child care center director to defuse a parent's anger: listen carefully; make sure the problem is well understood; acknowledge the parent's feelings; and explain the plan of action. Suggests that directors should let teachers and parents work together to correct and prevent problems. (AA)

A study examining principal termination surveyed 372 Missouri school superintendents, most from rural districts. The most frequent reason for principal termination was inability to communicate effectively and collaborate with school and community members. Most dismissals resulted from administrative recommendations, 28 percent resulted from board…

Illustrates the use of various means for facilitating and sustaining reflection at different levels and preparatory stages of professional practice. The following means are discussed: (1) writing; (2) journals; (3) case records; (4) contrived situations; (5) instrument feedback; (6) electronic feedback; (7) metaphor; (8) platforms; and (9)…