With reference to Bernstein's theories concerning the pulls and tensions of competing pedagogic identities, this article draws on original research to suggest that a culture of pragmatism may be currently rooting itself in English schools. This culture is understood partly as an instrumental response to rapid and extensive educational reform, and…

This study examined who deans of education were, where they worked, how they defined roles and responsibilities, what unique challenges faced female deans, how deans characterized their leadership style, what stressors impacted their ability to be effective, and how they maintained balance between scholarship and leadership and between…

Various opinions surround the usefulness of research on women superintendents. An analysis of the benefits and the drawbacks of such research is presented here. The text opens with 10 reasons why such research is of use to women and men. The reasons include: women make up over 70 percent of the teaching ranks but only 7 percent of them occupy…

This paper presents a qualitative investigation of the impact of gender on administrator decision-making within the college environment. The research compared 5 male and 5 female college administrators from 10 different metropolitan campuses in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. All were directors of customized training…

This guide shows the school principal how to delegate and empower others to help move the school toward fulfillment of its vision. It emphasizes the need to shift the focus from the task of the individual school professional to the task of the school. It examines the conditions for effective delegation and helps the principal identify…

This collection of papers addresses the personal challenges academics face in successfully responding to "the call" to academic leadership, focusing on who academic deans are, unique challenges to women deans, stress impacting deans' ability to lead, keys to successful entry into the deanship, organizational strategies for leading successfully,…

This study developed an empirical construct for the term "morale," and applied the resulting structural model in an investigation of the impact of morale on administrators' reported intentions to leave their positions. The paper identifies three common sources of frustration in these administrators: the midlevel nature of their role; the lack of…

This book presents a comprehensive case study of the professional life of a fictional school principal. Based entirely on case-study methodology, all the episodes discussed in the book depict actual events in everyday education leadership practice and represent a real-life education leadership experience through episodic progression. The case…

Lists 36 tangible ways that child care directors can motivate staff through showing them respect and appreciation. Included are suggestions related to publicly acknowledging staff expertise and training, organizing events for team bonding, recognizing and using staff members' talents, and providing space for organization and planning. (KB)

Departures of child care staff often create an emotional climate that affects everyone. This article advises directors on communication strategies to inform parents of staff departures, including a case study on the well-handled departure of a staff worker who resigned without notice. A sample letter to parents is also provided. (EV)

Reports that the literature on community colleges focuses extensively on students, faculty members and the top leadership; noticeably absent are studies about administrators such as those who provide services for students. Examines the elements of administrative work life at two rural community colleges, finding patterns in the nature of work,…

Analyzes how 20 groups of management specialists in charge of a computer-simulated company behaved when confronted with complex problems that arose. Difficulties stemmed from an incorrect use of available knowledge, a tendency to avoid risks and reduce uncertainty, and a motivational process which sheltered the subjective sense of competence. (AEF)

Presents suggestions to help teachers who must work with difficult principals, offering 10 ideas for how to make meetings with such principals more effective. The paper also notes what to do if the principal is unreachable and describes how four teachers handled their own problems with difficult principals. (SM)

Examines the roles of deans, department chairs, and other administrators in addressing issues of sexual harassment. Provides discussion of safe places, fair practices, and trust. Gives 25 suggestions for action that administrators can take to deal with and eliminate sexual harassment. (HB)

Suggests ways principals can work cooperatively with teachers to support independent reading as an important and integral part of the language arts program. (SR)