Learning from job experiences is essential for every manager's development. Managers learn best from challenging experiences, when employing a variety of learning experiences, and when employing strategies that coordinate what they want to learn with challenges likely to teach these lessons. Becoming a more versatile learner is essential. There…

Novice school administrators find that demands for excellence have grown while budgets have shrunk. This paper reports on a study that examined the stress levels of beginning administrators. Two of the key questions for the study--Is the stress experienced by new school administrators manageable or out of control? and Does the job put beginning…

Since the advent of effective-schools research findings, educational administration experts have advocated a democratic and collegial leadership style for school administrators. This paper provides the findings of a study that examined 43 beginning administrators (25 females, 32 Caucasians, 9 African-Americans, 2 Hispanics) to determine what…

A study focused primarily on building-level leadership by observing how principals in 12 high schools (11 public and 1 Catholic) engaged in planning a structural change from a traditional schedule with 45-minute periods to the 90-minute periods of a block schedule. Using a concerns-based model of change, principals' behaviors and teachers'…

This book exposes the various manifestations of mistreatment of teachers by principals, offering practical solutions for its prevention and correction. Information comes from a study involving interviews with elementary and secondary teachers from rural, suburban, and urban areas across the United States and Canada. The book provides tools…

A study examined how nonprofit organizations, particularly local education funds, and their leaders address social issues. Local education funds are a set of voluntary, intermediate, and mission-driven organizations at the center of educational and civic capacity building. This report provides the results of the first phase of the Public Education…

Discusses parent-teacher communication problems, factors that contribute to homework-communication problems, and strategies that the whole school community can use to ensure parent involvement in the homework assignments of children with high-incidence disabilities. Focus-group recommended strategies are provided for teachers, parents,…

Addresses the notion promoted by businesses that the American educational system is a failure. Explains that United States productivity is still the highest in the world in all areas of economic importance. Suggests that while politicians and industrial leaders criticize the educational system, their policies and actions undermine public education…

Early childhood centers today are buffeted with unprecedented financial, organizational, and societal challenges. This article profiles "exceptional directors" who have responded to these challenges through their skills in leading people, working with parents, developing programs, managing their organizations, and advocating for…

Report of a case study that examines a primary school in England not meeting national standards. Discusses why either the person of the leader or the process of leadership can mask the fundamental issues in primary schools that face challenges. (Contains 29 references.) (WFA)

A study examined Mexican American parent-school interaction in two elementary schools in Orange County, California. Data from observations, document analysis, and interviews with parents, educators, and community members revealed that principals'"microacts" of leadership that are neither highly dramatic nor visible can be very effective…

Report of a study on the socialization of new principals in one state's school. The goal was to discover how the principals learned about the culture of their schools and their places in them and the experiences that shaped their social and cultural transitions. (Contains 36 references.) (WFA)

Report on a study of principals in rural and urban districts in Texas. Lack of time and resources, and changing demographics appeared as major challenges for the eight study participants. Findings agree with other reports appearing in the literature: the need to restructure the job of principal. (Contains six references.) (WFA)

Investigates the extent that principals' managerial behavior is related to their beliefs about control. Argues for a negative relation between extreme locus of control and perspectives used by individuals for strategic and long-term plans. "Extreme control" principals produce strategic plans with shorter perspectives. (Contains 56…

Although 360-degree feedback is no panacea for improving schools, it provides educational leaders with data to help them perceive, reflect, articulate, and analyze their own behavior, based on data from a full circle of constituents, including themselves. Face-to-face coaching is a mandatory component. (MLH)