Discusses job socialization of day care directors working in a middle-management role. Describes four stages of thought patterns and beliefs systems as directors mature in professional competence: (1) blind compliance; (2) uncomfortable compliance; (3) working the system; and (4) redefining the system. (EV)

This article describes the way one Colorado comprehensive high school attempts to meet the needs of highly gifted students, noting features such as the principal's awareness of and commitment to gifted and talented students, staff development of counselors and teachers, and academic and affective support for students. (DB)

Discusses the multitude of tasks that community college academic deans perform and the evolution of the role of dean through the present. Looks at skills required in areas such as productivity and accountability, human relations, and budgeting. Examines current job descriptions and discusses some of the skills that are essential to the dean's…

Resident camps have become year-round facilities, adding activities such as adult conferencing, environmental education programs, and corporate team building to the traditional childrens' summer camp. This has increased camp directors' responsibilities and created new camp positions. Camp directors are increasingly networking with each other and…

Partnerships pose opportunities and challenges for school principals, especially when involving organizations and programs outside education. Collaborative school leaders must be able to appreciate diverse perspectives, understand the big picture, gather and use data for planning, motivate themselves and others, facilitate group efforts, solve…

A Norwegian study of 81 schools in 42 randomly selected municipalities suggests that the principal can promote school development activities among teaching staff by actively creating an innovative school culture. This role (and central-office support) may be more important in secondary than in elementary schools. (Contains 39 references.) (MLH)

To increase their odds for successful decentralized decision making, leaders must operate from a different set of realities about organizational change and design appropriate strategies to create more resilient organizations. Most people act first in their own self-interest; resist understanding the meaning of organizational change; and are…

Contends that nongraded primary teachers must develop a deeper understanding of the schooling of primary students. States that Hardin County teachers discovered that professional development in scheduling, classroom discipline, classroom management, collaboration, and common planning time were keys to success in the development of their nongraded…

Unproductive, toxic schools have fragmented staffs, eroding goals, and negative, hopeless atmospheres. Schools with strong, positive cultures feature service-oriented staffs, a collegial ambience, celebratory rituals, supportive social networks, and humor. In crafting school culture, school leaders (principals, teachers, and parents) act as…

The eight chapters of this theme issue address two broad themes related to the study of school leadership in four countries. The first is the changing role of the principal/headteacher as a result of legislated change and societal expectations. The second is the implications of these changes for the roles of principals and headteachers. (SLD)

Stresses the importance of articulation for strengthening students' accomplishments in foreign languages. Discusses the need for a K-16 foreign language plan across the United States. (Author/VWL)

Highlights challenges faced by foreign language and literature department chairs. Suggests significant changes have occurred in the perception of language primarily as a skill or tool in support of other interests, in the growing implementation of technology, and in the changing faces of students. (Author/VWL)

Offers an empirically derived model (based on observations of administrative behavior at two institutions of higher education) describing relationships among central administrators, chairs, and faculty. Discusses change agents, the do-it-yourself approach, the rhetoric of change, the faculty retreat, hiring new and more administrators, creating…

Discusses the American Association of Community Colleges' Leadership Summit, which focused on: (1) how U.S. community colleges can identify potential leaders; (2) how institutions can grow their own leaders; (3) how to increase diversity in community college administration; and (4) how to shift to a customer-driven perspective of leadership…

Camp directors are role models for staff, and their behavior sets the tone for staff behavior. Treat staff like adults. Treat them with respect; be demanding and fair. Clearly tell them what is expected. Encourage initiative, and don't punish the mistakes that come with learning to make decisions. Anecdotes illustrate how inappropriate management…