Reflects on one person's experiences as the principal of an urban professional development school, contending that establishing supportive interpersonal relationships and creating a positive organizational culture are the primary responsibilities of the principal. One of the lessons learned from this experience is that stakeholders are more likely…

Describes a 10-year effort to restructure an urban school system. Central to the process was the role of school principals, who were vested with responsible autonomy in the administration and leadership of their schools. Those who were considered most successful in the restructuring effort were interdependent with, rather than independent of,…

In a case study, three women superintendents say their Texas communities viewed the superintendency as suitable for a white, middle-aged, conservative, married man committed to keeping taxes low. Their observations on subtle and blatant manifestations of androcentric culture may provide grist for feminist research. Corrective measures are…

Pedagogical leadership is a more effective school-improvement alternative than bureaucratic, visionary, or entrepreneurial leadership. Pedagogical leadership invests in capacity building by developing social and academic capital for students, and intellectual and professional capital for teachers. Community-minded schools stress social covenants…

Discusses how to handle problem employees in interpretive settings. Outlines minimal personnel management guides and minimal coaching/supervisory investment. Recommends learning personnel rules of the agency, thoroughly documenting the problem, and obtaining management support. (PVD)

Introduces five articles on how school leaders in various roles can work to improve racial/ethnic relations in schools, particularly when the schools serve diverse populations and have histories of race-related conflict or tension. Provides a historical perspective and theoretical context, describes the methodology shared by the five articles, and…

Describes an approach to helping teachers learn about different students' cultures that considers diverse students as conduits for facilitating teachers' greater understanding of cultural knowledge. Examines efforts of elementary school leaders to create personal linkages between schools and students, exploring how the schools have created caring…

Gives an overview of the aspects of learning disabilities in regard to teaching approaches and course substitutions for language requirements that foreign language department chairs should attend to including the following: definitions of learning disabilities, diagnosis of learning disabilities, teaching methodology for the struggling student,…

Examines effects of the National Urban League's Systemic Initiative reforms in four cities: Chicago, El Paso, Memphis, and Miami, based on an analysis of interviews with 47 principals. Principals must balance the demands of systemic math and science reforms with those of multilevel accountability policies. Such alignments may be unachievable.…

Three key ingredients contributed to the opening of Tigard-Tualatin (Oregon) School District's middle schools: a growing population, a new superintendent, and a committed board of education chair. Central administration can maintain an effective middle school by recognizing that young adolescents are unique, finding programs to address their…

Ideas gleaned from the journal of a president of Moravian College (Pennsylvania) immediately after beginning the job identifies many of the tasks and challenges greeting new presidents in the early days of their tenure, focusing on establishment of productive relationships with community leaders, faculty, board members, and staff and learning…

Today's college presidents are often faulted for not speaking out on important public policy issues as their predecessors did, but the circumstances surrounding contemporary presidents make it difficult for them to take personal stands. Results of a survey of 167 presidents indicate when and why presidents take public stands and illuminate the…

Although schools are increasingly adopting site-based management (SBM), little uniformity exists among districts. SBM is suffering from growing pains and "shop-floor realities." Principals and teachers are managing schools through trial-and-error. Many principals are paranoid about their changing roles, and teachers are struggling with budgeting…

Focuses on the role of the foreign-language department chair at American institutions of higher education. The article encourages foreign-language chairs to assume their roles of fund-raiser, program developer, and entrepreneur and to view them as a blessing in disguise. (nine references) (CK)

In retirement planning, the college or university human resources manager is positioned as representative of both the college administration, which has a simple legal obligation to employees, and employees, who must plan for financial security and independence. This administrator can affect employees' financial well-being by effective retirement…