Douglas and McCauley report on a survey of 246 managers about the management-development strategies used in their organizations. Results show that initiatives include mentoring, apprenticeships, coaching, and action learning. Bierema's reaction concurs in the need to widen the definition of relationships but suggests that methodological issues…

Elements of California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program, which provides new teachers with one-on-one mentoring and professional support in their first two years of practice, are being applied to UC Santa Cruz's pilot project for beginning principals. Principals need intensive coaching and support when assuming their duties. (MLH)

A two-day management-development course for women administrators and faculty helped them consider work and personal issues faced by female academics. Evaluation immediately and one to two years after the course found high immediate satisfaction and long-term impact on their understanding of work roles, the organization of their work lives, and…

A survey of 84 human-resource-management practitioners showed that many do not value academic research, preferring other information sources. They consider college faculty ineffective instructors in management-development seminars. Small companies rated faculty effectiveness higher than did medium and large companies. (SK)

Managers working in different cultures need such skills as empathy, flexibility, acceptance of relativity, and tolerance of ambiguity. A business administration curriculum based on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator seeks to raise awareness of cultural differences, develop students' cultural "antennae," and improve cross-cultural…

Describes how two reforms--portfolio culture and teacher professionalism--converge in a systemwide program for school leaders' professional development. Investigates use of portfolios to help (Australian) principals, deputy principals, and department heads improve their performance and accountability. Participants used portfolios as evidence of…

Explains how a management education video on the Challenger disaster was created and insights gained from the experience. Reflects on its use in promoting organizational transformation. (SK)

Traces the evolution of U.S. administrator training programs, focusing on 20th-century developments. Delineates four eras: the Ideological Era, 1820-1899; the Prescriptive Era, 1900-1946; the Scientific Era, 1947-1985; and the Dialectic Era, beginning around 1986. Underscores key dimensions and events in each time frame, highlighting inter-era…

Elements of a competency-based leadership and management skills program include assessment center evaluation, personality and self-assessment measures, experiential learning, development of career plans, meetings with career coaches, and selection of courses to enhance skills to achieve career and life goals. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)

Reviews management training strategies used by small and medium-sized enterprises in Italy. Discusses solutions offered by distance learning, especially training delivered via satellite. (SK)

According to Frederick Herzberg's studies of employee motivation, humans are driven by motivating factors that allow them to grow psychologically and hygiene factors that help them meet physical needs. Good education conferences can enhance both factors by helping principals refocus their energies, exchange ideas with trusted colleagues, and view…

Like teachers, principals need support for building collegial networks and reducing professional isolation. Study groups provide an opportunity for principals to meet during the school year to study a topic of mutual interest. The experience can increase participants' confidence, teach new skills, strengthen their understanding of current…

Based on the author's experience as advisor to practicing administrators in their final year of a three-year part-time masters program in education management at a British university, this article explores whether the academic demands of an award-bearing program and those of action learning interact detrimentally. The strands of activity should be…

Argues that the uncritical citation of Stephen R. Covey's book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," in educational administration texts undermines the social-scientific foundation of university-based administrator preparation. Asserts that the Covey's book is based on Mormon metaphysics, not social science. (Contains 41…

In 1996, a consortium of state and professional associations, the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium, published a comprehensive set of Standards for School Leaders. This paper provides early indications of standards implementation throughout the nation. Intrastate distribution of ISLLC Standards was achieved in 34 of the 54 states and…