The 1990 winner of the ELITE Award for Exemplary Leadership and Information Technology Excellence in higher education offers his axioms for information resources management, covering authority/control, communications, project management, decision making, people management, strategic planning, change management, crisis management, and personal…

Newly hired teachers regularly have questions about whether their lifestyles and actions outside of school could have repercussions on their career. Because they are expected to be role models for their students and thus held to a higher level of discretion than the general citizenry, educators have had restrictions placed on their living…

Of all the people known for stressing quality in industry, W. Edwards Deming is the pioneer. He stresses statistical process control (SPC) and a 14-point process for managers to improve quality and productivity. His approach is humanistic and treats people as intelligent human beings who want to do a good job. Twelve administrators in a university…

This book explores increased decentralization of university and college development systems and consequent fund raising roles of deans. The book's analysis is based on a 1989 study of development system decentralization and specific management issues related to this trend. Where decentralization occurs, deans can take actions to make their…

This report is comprised of brief summaries of various research-based and theoretical concepts and techniques--taken mostly from business management--that might improve educational administration. The topics discussed include (1) a list of successful business practices identified by the book, "In Search of Excellence"; (2) Theories X, Y,…

Criteria are set forth for a philosophy that could contribute to advancement in educational administration. Three broad areas are covered: (1) the ideas and methods of educational administration; (2) communication and verification in the field; and (3) values and the normative side of education. (TE)

Administrators need to have a strong sense of accountability. Mishandling of funds is obviously to be avoided; however, other decisions that are not as clear are discussed. Determining and avoiding whatever may diminish integrity is a safeguard for school executives. (MLF)

This article on the University of Michigan Information Technology (IT) Division's implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles describes TQM premises, the implementation process, and initial effects (e.g., increased use of concepts of customer needs and quality indicators). The particular relevance of the TQM approach for IT…

Principals of smaller and rural secondary schools should think critically about the mix of their goals with staff members' goals. Although very little can be accomplished from the principal's momentum alone, a united group can accomplish great things. Suggestions are given for providing each staff member with meaningful leadership opportunities.…

Higher education institution business officers need to follow principles of presentation, judgment, and measurement in developing effective executive financial reports. Principles include (1) keep the statement simple; (2) be consistent in reporting from year to year; (3) determine user needs and interests; (4) limit data; (5) provide trend lines;…

The essential elements of school board governance involve four dimensions: (1) setting the vision for what the community wants the public school program to be; (2) ensuring that districts have a solid staff infrastructure to achieve the vision; (3) setting standards; and (4) advocating for schools. (MLF)

College and university administrators can apply lessons learned from corporate management to expected financial pressures of the 1990s. Problems requiring strong leadership include unclear expectations of staff; weak measurement systems; accelerating change; and the strangling effects of excessive administrative processes. (DB)

In response to the need for professional growth opportunities for principals, the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy (IPLA) was founded in 1985. The IPLA was created to be a national training model for principals, as leaders of instructors, empowered with effective behaviors and practices. The academy's focus is on four proficiencies: (1)…

The study of educational administration should continue its trend toward a qualitative interpretation of reality and abandon the positivistic, scientific approach of the last 25 years. Herbert Simon's work in 1945 set the field upon the path of accepting the assumptions of positivistic thought as the limits of scientific inquiry in administration,…

This step-by-step guide is intended to help educators learn about the characteristics and activities of high-performing managers. It synthesizes the ideas of several experts on business management performance and includes examples of highly successful educational managers. It also briefly presents a comprehensive strategy that educational managers…