An environment of safety in the school seldom comes down to any one particular component or plan; it is a combination of strategies and ideas that makes a school safe and secure for everyone. In this article, the authors provide practical information to educators who are already working to capacity in terms of time allocation and monetary…

This article details how the author deals with a student, Kenny, whose performance in school declined because of family problems. The author stresses the roles of a local school principal in the community, as someone who can help, someone with resources and answers and guidance. Despite the many times in which the school principal's judgment is…

Professional development is the catalyst to transforming theory into current best teaching practices. In order to provide effective professional development, there are many variables that must be considered by the school principal including teacher beliefs and receptivity, the school climate, and available local school support. Ultimately,…

This article describes a pilot study in which a prototype instrument is presented as a first step toward a reliable and valid tool that facilitates both the establishment of a visioning strategy and evaluation of the effectiveness of visioning strategies, existing or new. A brief historical perspective precedes an examination of the actual steps…

There is a burgeoning literature on educational change--how to make it and how to understand its failures in order that the causes can be remedied next time. Much of this literature implies that when free and autonomous policy agents know what they are doing, they can shift institutional structures and habituated ways of doing and being. In this…

The changing context of community colleges today is enough to make even the most versatile and experienced administrator's head spin. The constancy of change and the ways in which traditional responses fall short in addressing current challenges seem to relegate leaders to a place where they have a toolbox of strategies from which to draw in hopes…

Financial misdeeds, athletics scandals, and votes of "no confidence." How does a president escape all of these and hold office for the long haul? And "why" does one serve for an extensive term? In this article, the author explores these questions as he looks back on his long tenure at The George Washington University. He…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evidence the emergence of new forms of work organisation which if observed could be seen as consistent with the concept of the "learning factory". This is attempted through reporting the views of those workers engaged in team based operations and reflects upon the emerging role of first-line and…

Barriers exist at a variety of levels that either impede or prohibit persons with disabilities from full participation within the worship, education, and mission of congregations. Placing the emerging body of literature on inclusion in congregations in conversation with a case study of one particular congregation, the author examines the sources…

This article presents the conversation of the principals of Breakthrough High Schools (BTHS) about literacy. When asked about the essentials of a successful high school literacy initiative and the administrator's role in developing a schoolwide literacy initiative, the principals revealed the strategies and practices they use to improve students'…

As organizational change at community colleges becomes the norm, presidents leading these campuses play a heightened role in guiding successful initiatives. The research reported here investigated the relationship between leader cognition and power levers of two presidents as they framed change for campus members. These leaders' underlying…

Defining a vision based on shared values is a crucial step that administrators must consider as they lead their schools through reform efforts. This article reports findings from a national study of creating professional learning communities in schools and how an organizational framework helped to explain vision development in 18 schools.…

Change orders. The words can turn the stomachs of administrators. Horror stories about change orders create fear and distrust among school officials, designers and builders. Can change orders be avoided? If car manufacturers can produce millions of intricately designed vehicles, why can't the same quality control be achieved on a construction…

School construction projects go more smoothly when architects and administrators understand each other's roles and expectations. Education administrators should understand what architects do and what they need to be effective in their jobs; architects should be aware of how education institutions function and the specific traits of the school…

In this article, the author discusses the crucial role that a school principal plays in spearheading environmental education. In the execution of environmental education, the principal is not merely a passive supporter and participant; he should go further to be an initiator. The principal must take the initiative and, using his own ideas and his…