Various theories are circulated concerning Stanford University's (California) controversy over use of federal research funds. Issues involved include billing the government for inappropriate charges, the rapid growth of problems, public relations failures, and poor administration. The president's role in addressing the crisis is a central concern.…

Mastery or "second chance" learning is easily adaptable to the principal's modeling through the classroom observation/supervision process. The five-step process (preobservation conference, performance of observation, postobservation conference, professional growth plan, and observation) helps teachers own the classroom observation process and…

This article examines what risk management is, how the personnel officer can impact risk management, and personnel officer responsibilities for risk management. It is concluded that the time, effort, and commitment required of the personnel director to implement an employee risk management program is well spent to save (scarce) human and financial…

Describes Santa Barbara City College's decentralized research program, considering the roles of the president, vice presidents, deans, institutional research committee members, and data-processing director. Explains how the research agenda is determined, projects monitored, results/implications identified, and findings disseminated. Highlights…

College faculty applying for the National Endowment for the Humanities' Summer Stipend Program for independent study and research are usually nominated by their institutions. Nomination procedures used by institutions that consistently nominate successful applicants are described, and the research administrator's role in the process is discussed.…

Total Quality Management (TQM) and assessment in higher education both focus on processes to improve educational quality, and both require upper-level leadership's commitment. Guided by the proven principles of TQM, assessment can help institutions develop a mechanism for responding in advance to the challenges ahead. (MSE)

Postmodernism represents a critique and correction of some exaggerations, distortions, and myths of modernism. Modern social institutions, including schools, are built on the principles of progress, universality, and regularity. Postmodernism emphasizes embeddedness, particularity, and irregularity, reflected in today's kindergarten and the most…

Perceptions of the current and ideal functioning roles of the principal were compared using responses of 147 Alabama teachers. Differences between current and ideal roles were found for categories of counselor, evaluator, motivator, and supervisor. These results emphasize the varying perceptions teachers have of principals. (SLD)

Educational change must be facilitated, not dictated, to be successful. Since most new curriculum programs ignore complex classroom realities, teachers usually view them negatively. Facilitative principals create the necessary conditions for change by progressing through three stages: creating new roles and expectations, mobilizing proponents for…

A qualitative study explored eight elementary principals' conceptions about leadership and management constructs; beliefs about the role of their personal philosophies; and language used to describe themselves, their work, and their schools. Principals identified four issues: conflicting roles, being there, evolving as leaders, and balancing…

Reviews research on high school dropouts and elementary school literacy needs. Looks at elements of successful early-intervention programs (including schools and parents, school structure issues, and promising practices in early reading instruction). Offers recommendations for teacher and administrator preparation and professional development.…

A study that explored 12 high school students' participation in transition-related activities indicated teachers, students, and mothers did not perceive formal transition-related processes as occurring at school or home. Teachers and mothers agreed that better communication was needed as well as administrative support to implement an effective…

Offers five suggestions to college presidents for enhancing the college-community relationship: attending most community or neighborhood meetings to which invited; having the public affairs staff build a mailing list of community representatives; being prepared to do special favors; building an institutional tradition of community service; and…

Examines the work of Norma V. Cantu, the head of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and the controversy surrounding her tenure. Issues discussed include the range of concerns she must address, including affirmative action, gender equity in athletics, and college desegregation in the South, and her strategies for…

Asserts that effective leadership training for chairs needs to be situated in realistic contexts. Encourages development of chair-training programs that incorporate the actual experiences of practitioners. Analyzes the results of a survey that examines chair duties and responsibilities. (VWC)