This paper is a brief description of a conference presentation consisting of a 2.5-hour clinic session on decision-making. A motion picture, "The Making of a Decision," followed by a lively discussion, was used to illustrate the strenghts and weaknesses of administrators in their decision-making process. Presented in the film are three…

Two distinct but related topics, addressed by different authors, are covered in this report. William L. Rutherford's contribution, entitled "School Management, School Development, School Improvement in the United States," reviews the building administrator's role in school improvement within the broader context of educational…

Sixty-nine Israeli school principals completed questionnaires designed to reveal the factors contributing to the leadership styles they used when initiating curricular changes. The principals fell into three leadership categories: "Initiators," who seek change in accordance with long range policies and goals; "Responders," who…

The university as a system of formal authority is considered in the Canadian context. The structure of the 27 largest Canadian universities (ranked by operating income) is analyzed with reference to their organizational charts. It is assumed that the structure symbolizes an official style of authority and responsibility reflected by the number of…

Identifying an instructional leader as a principal who engages in activities that significantly affect the learning that goes on in the school, this article profiles an elementary school principal recognized by the Oregon Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development as one of the state's most effective instructional leaders. The author…

A questionnaire survey in Missouri was conducted to determine the characteristics of the state's district-level curriculum leaders and to determine what the curriculum leaders and elementary and high school principals perceive to be the ideal curriculum leader's functions, competencies, and leadership behavior. The characteristics covered include…

Intended to provide current or potential project principals/directors with the basic knowledge, skills, abilities, and sensitivities needed to manage a summer migrant school project in the local educational setting, this module provides instruction in the project management areas of planning, preparation, control, and termination. The module…

Monroe Community College (MCC) is located in a county with over one million residents, where over 40% of the workforce is employed in manufacturing and where a number of major corporations are engaged in high technology production. Strong links existing between MCC and local industry are illustrated by the degree programs offered in high…

Past approaches to public administration, the diminishing distinctions between foreign and domestic policy, the role of the public administrator, and leadership qualities are discussed. As a relatively young discipline, public administration first focused on scientific management (1920's). It then shifted to the art and science of getting things…

Although women are making inroads into administrative positions in higher education, discrimination still is evident. To establish guidelines for the woman newly entering the administrative field, achieving women in higher education were surveyed to provide insights into their characteristics and the strategies they employed to attain their…

To impress upon his audience the importance of education in the United States and the world, the author of this address discusses several aspects of current social reality that will be vitally affected by the extent of society's support of education. Among the topics on which the author touches are the high quality of the American political…

Following introductory sections concerning the history of collective bargaining and the distinctions between the public and private sectors that affect labor relations, this document presents approaches that managers in the public sector can take when dealing with employees. The author notes the government's responsibility in the growth of…

Right-wing protests in four suburban Illinois school districts are analyzed in this paper. Two questions are asked: How do administrative organizations respond to protest from extremist groups? Under what conditions do administrators acquiesce to protestors' demands? Three major findings emerged. The first was that the more uncertainty…

All secondary school assistant principals in Massachusetts were surveyed to assess the relationships between their backgrounds, training, and values and their concepts of, preparedness for, and processes for dealing with conflict situations. Data were collected through questionnaires and through the completion by the 122 survey respondents of the…

To help administrators build confidence in their schools, this document offers 12 suggestions to foster better communication, increased confidence, and more effective schools. Each suggestion is discussed and examples are provided of how to carry out the suggestion. The 12 suggestions are to (1) strive for school quality, (2) create a spirit of…