Discusses the role of the Catholic parish in forming the character of its youth, asserting that vibrant communities of faith can form Catholic character and values that will survive any threat from society. Presents a formula for success in this endeavor, which includes: (1) good liturgy; (2) democratic leadership; (3) lifelong religious education…

Asserts that the unique nature of Catholic schools--their small student-to-teacher ratio, autonomy over their buildings and grounds, the dress code, and parent involvement--helps prevent such events as the Columbine High School slayings from occurring. Urges Catholic schools not to become complacent, however, and continue to use these advantages…

School business administrators must be both business managers and educators. As the school district's chief financial officer, the school business administrator must have strong communication and interpersonal skills. Spheres of involvement include working with school staff, parents, the district office, town officials and committees, vendors, and…

University department heads in the United States and Australia function under increased uncertainty and stress: diverse student populations; funding shortages; demands for quality; downsizing; balancing academic/administrative roles. Article examines environmental pressures on these administrators explores strategies department heads in the two…

Suggests ways directors can create a climate to reduce and resolve conflict, including assessing the work environment, improving communication, understanding different personalities involved, and understanding the negotiation process. Applies the process to particular scenarios of early childhood staff conflict. Asserts that how directors deal…

Professionals who have worked with school leaders say conflict results from the board and superintendent stepping into each other's territory. They advise: beware the revolving door; keep your roles straight; redefine your concept of power; build trust; know where you're going; and know when to cut your losses. A sidebar lists resources. (MLF)

Purpose: Turnover in nursing homes is a widespread problem adversely affecting care quality. Using complexity theory, we tested the effect of administrative climate, communication patterns, and the interaction between the two on turnover, controlling for facility context. Design and Methods: Perceptions of administrative climate and communication…

In this article, the author discusses how school leaders who are determined to increase student achievement know that we must change instruction. Accelerating student achievement beyond typical expectations requires a focused change in classroom instruction and a corresponding commitment of administrative time to monitoring and evaluating. We must…

This article describes forms of educational leadership observed as part of an evaluation of the Transforming School Workforce Pilot Pathfinder Project in England commissioned by the UK Government. The 32 Pilot Schools made interventions in organizational practice in ways that required them to think differently about leadership. Changes in the…

This article explores the previously quite marked absence from English policy debates on 14-19 education of issues that, in other developed countries, would be seen as key elements in the policy landscape. These are: the role of employers as providers of learning; the structure of employers' demand for skills, their recruitment and selection…

With the continued explosive growth of personalized websites, more and more public school administrators can expect to face situations in which inappropriate materials have been posted by a teacher, staff member or student. While failing to recognize employees' rights of free speech can result in legal liability, administrators also must be…

In a field of revolving-door leaders, Thomas W. Payzant is the exception to the rule. Amid the rise and fall of superintendents in city after city, he has led the Boston Public Schools for nearly 11 years. Now, as he prepares to retire, the district offers a rare glimpse of what is possible with stable leadership in urban education. It is a story…

This commentary discusses the decrease in educational funding, the increase of mandates under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the possible conflicts between general and special education. Administrators and educators are urged to work together to meet the needs of all students. (CR)

This article discusses the role of special education administrators in leading the way for changes in special education during the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The need for administrator advocacy for streamlined paperwork, the response to intervention model, and the provision of highly qualified staff is…

Reductions in state and federal allocations to higher education are requiring colleges and universities to seek alternative sources of funding, and higher education institutions are becoming progressively more involved in fund raising. This increased dependence on private sources of funding emphasizes the need for more in-depth studies of higher…