Explores the various responses of four first-year English teachers to a state-mandated mentor program in New Jersey and implications for Wisconsin's proposal for a distinct mentor-supported license stage for beginning teachers. Suggests that mentors must appreciate their responsibilities and that school administrators must support the…

States that most community-college chairs do not receive any training for the complex roles and responsibilities associated with their positions. Offers a description of North Carolina State University's leadership-development program as a resource for practitioners. Contains 10 references. (VWC)

Describes the grassroots movement, begun nine years ago in the Maricopa Community College District to meet the unique training needs of college chairs, that has grown into the Chair Academy. Chronicles the development of the organization as well as its current and projected future activities. (VWC)

An effective college or university budget process is dependent on the culture of the institution. Different processes and budget types are appropriate to different institutions. Understanding the interrelationships of budgeting, planning, and financial modeling can help make the budget more predictable and relevant to the college's values and…

Although local community boards are not part of the governing structure of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), local boards help presidents respond to the unique needs of their communities. Describes the structure of VCCS, why college boards are important to VCCS, and the contributions of college board members. (VWC)

Principals can ensure stakeholders that a block schedule will provide enhanced teaching and learning opportunities for raising student achievement when implemented with adequate instructional planning and attention to teachers' instructional needs and students' academic needs. Success depends on the master schedule, training opportunities,…

Notes survey of teachers and principals in 10 middle schools to determine the relationship between principals' leadership behavior and teachers' sense of efficacy. Identifies 11 principal behaviors that reinforce teacher efficacy, including inspiring group purpose, encouraging innovation, fostering teamwork, managing student behavior, and…

According to research, only 28% of college presidents rely on the chief academic officer (CAO) as the primary confidant. But in order to operate synergistically for the good of the institution, the president and the CAO must work together with a singular voice. Asserts that the first step toward successful participatory management is forthright…

Explores a British secondary school's 8-year involvement with the Improving the Quality of Education for All reform initiative, comparing three leadership models. Transactional and transformational leadership models are limited in long-term improvement efforts. Leadership themes based on values, shared leadership contexts, and capacity creation…

Full-service community schools may be the most popular examples of public school transformation. The success formula features interventionist, "wrap-around services" for individuals, children, and families. From this model and its lessons arises another model that stresses interdependence, collaboration, and enlightened self-interest.…

Presents the perspectives of six advocates for quality staff development, including a principal who emphasizes questioning; a director of communications for parents who emphasizes reading clues; an educational consultant who recommends sharing information; a board of education member who recommends educating oneself; a school superintendent who…

Demonstrates the Toulmin model as a problem-solving approach for administrators considering connecting their schools to the Internet. Using moral reasoning, a proposal to connect the school to the Internet is explored. The Internet in schools today, value judgments and principles, qualifications to the proposition, and media literacy are…

Describes the development of courses at the University of Central Florida that are a mix of traditional classroom instruction and online courses. Discusses course assessment methods to help meet student needs; faculty incentives to participate in the assessment process; administrative support; and accountability. (LRW)

Highlights the school health coordinator as an essential, unifying element in the eight-component model of the comprehensive school health program, with responsibilities including administration, integration of personnel and programs, evaluation, and direct intervention. The number of program elements is reduced to five by transferring staff…

Central office administrators' key roles in middle-level school reform include capturing and communicating a vision for change; providing consistent, high-quality professional development for teachers, principals, and parents; and directing an ongoing communication or public relations program. A sidebar lists 12 conditions for running effective…