Investigates teachers' and principals' perceptions of instructional leadership in a sample of Western Australian government primary and secondary schools, using the Instructional Leadership Questionnaire. Instructional leadership was viewed as a shared responsibility; teachers felt principals were less involved than principals felt they were.…

Advice to help a college or school development officer work effectively with a new chief executive officer includes participating in the search, making early contacts with the new administrator, coordinating working styles, keeping staff informed and comfortable with new processes, and launching new fund-raising initiatives as soon as possible.…

Discussion of customer service and Total Quality Management in academic libraries highlights selected customer-service training programs and popular customer-service videos. Topics discussed include utilizing campus resources; staff attitudes; commitment of administrators; and service training issues for academic library managers. (22 references)…

When asked to mentor or to participate in field-based, collaborative administrator preparation programs, principals should realize that these energy-intensive approaches involve willingness to enter into a long-term relationship with a learner, tolerance for lengthy meetings, desire to share the lessons of experience, and a predilection for…

Improving college stature is an ongoing and essential process needed to regain public support and trust. Administrators can elevate stature through specific techniques in innovative planning, resource allocation, outcomes assessment, and image management, and they can communicate better with the public. (MSE)

Cultural leadership is an essential foundation underlying successful instructional leadership activities. Careful use of cultural assessment helps principals identify contextual barriers shaping the outcomes of otherwise effective instructional change interventions. Cultural brokerage not only protects these improvements but promotes and…

Special education administrator competencies associated with the implementation of special education programs within the context of federal, state, and local changes that affect special education and general education were examined in a survey of 164 administrators. The analysis identifies some domains that are more important than others. (SLD)

Guidelines for planning for and receiving television news crews on campus are offered. Suggestions focus on initial response to the inquiry, logistical preparations, preparation of individuals on campus, choosing campus images to present, being helpful, ensuring smooth operation during the visit, and offering other interesting stories to the crew…

Explains how the role of staff developer is shifting from setting the agenda for professional growth to helping individuals and schools set their own agenda, advising them on how to carry out their plans, and encouraging them to move forward. (GLR)

Reviews selected literature on administrative evaluation and focuses on four topics: (1) linking principals to school effectiveness as an outcome; (2) increasing awareness of school contextual indicators affecting leadership and effectiveness; (3) the effects of structural reform on the principal's role; and (4) assessing principal's performance…

Tupelo (Mississippi) Superintendent Mike Walters eschewed his former "happy bureaucrat" role for a facilitative role allowing teachers to reinvent curriculum and instruction. Inspired by Deming's continuous-improvement precept and aided by a $3.5 million grant from the area's Fortune-500 business community, this superintendent finds…

President Clinton's projected "Goals 2000: Educate America" legislation is a national blueprint for helping principals build partnerships, revitalize curricula, expand community and parental support, and actively participate in the educational excellence movement. The legislation will provide schools, districts, and states with incentive…

In existing school-based management models, the principal's role ranges from chairing the local council to being a coach/facilitator. With teachers and parents assuming greater control over governance, curriculum, and budgeting, paranoid principals may establish more formal bargaining relationships with district boards. Caution is advised, because…

The experience of Tufts University (Massachusetts) with environmental engineering has shown that efforts to reduce adverse environmental effects on campus need champions who can push the issues forward and who have the authority to act. The demonstrated commitment of top management is essential to a successful program. (Author/MSE)

The new president should know that his success depends on his vision of what constitutes good teaching, competent management, excellent personnel, effective promotion, and above all, outstanding service to students. Proactive efforts during the first 100 days give the administrator the best chance to build momentum for the institution's future.…