Roughly 30 years ago, American educators stood at a crossroads, with a decision to make about the future of education. With their ears ringing of warnings that they were facing a "rising tide of mediocrity" and recognizing unacceptable gaps in achievement between disadvantaged students and others, educators set off down a path of reform…

Part of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE) research series titled "Teachers' Time: Collaborating for Learning, Teaching, and Leading," this case study looks at Hillsdale High School, a large, comprehensive high school located in San Mateo, California, a high-tech enclave of Silicon Valley nestled 23 miles…

This report maps out activities and supporting conditions in states, districts, and schools, that enable educational leadership to exert productive influence on learning. The report draws together threads from the research literature and from practical experimentation in a variety of states, districts, and schools, as described in greater detail…

The reform bandwagon has brought about a glut of legislation under the term "education reform." Efforts to define this term have been unsatisfactory. A study by Flanigan et al. attempted to define the term education reform, but it discovered that each state had developed its own definition and program. This finding was a result of a survey sent to…

Calls for more effective management of the governance process. Reviews models of governance systems and offers suggestions for effective governance. Includes a checklist of questions to be asked of those responsible for governance systems in community colleges. (DMM)

Cautions that since education is complex, efforts to improve education must also be complex, extending beyond enabling principals to exert instructional leadership; that patient work is necessary to complete the absorption of changes; and that common standards for educational achievement do not necessitate standardizing teaching methods for all…

This paper is written from the perspective of an Anglican head teacher in the context of UK public educational policy in which managerialism is construed as the prevalent orthodoxy of reform. It seeks to bring the discipline of theology and the field of school leadership studies into closer dialogue around the theme of managerialism in a way that…

The position of assistant principal has been virtually ignored and sometimes maligned. Based on perspectives that arise from administrative theory, career development research, and school administration studies, this document describes the special nature of the assistantship, daily work, rewards, and frustrations. Five chapters include: (1) "What…

Describes findings from an analysis of principal leadership in 32 U.S. urban high schools. Examines the extent of principal leadership in these schools, some specific leadership areas, and school and district conditions related to principal leadership. Principals differ greatly in six leadership areas; some critical areas are neglected. Includes 2…

Research and experience in school labor relations suggest that superintendents can be more effective during contract talks by acting like unbiased education leaders--not tough negotiators. Superintendents can avoid taking adversarial positions by staying off the bargaining team and following suggested guidelines for their role as educator,…

Examines several organizational impediments to school counselors' effectiveness, including inadequate staff communication, resulting in role conflict and ambiguity. Discusses major organizational and individual aspects of the counselor's role, identifies five revitalizing trends, and describes a set of procedures to determine the most important…

Explores the roles of community college trustees and how and why these roles have changed in the past decade. Examines the external pressures that affect the behavior of boards of trustees and the relationship between boards and chief executive officers. (DMM)

A thorough review conducted by the right person can be a priceless tool for boards and presidents, incumbent and newly appointed, in guiding their institutions. Good reviews often carry more weight than accreditation reports. Article includes a reading list detailing the tools reviewers need to begin an institutional evaluation. (Author/MSE)

This booklet examines the role of the professional governing board secretary and offers guidelines for carrying out this responsibility effectively. While a wide range of responsibilities of board secretaries is noted, the board secretary's basic responsibilities center on supporting the governing board's operations, ensuring that institutional…

Quick phrases often hold deep meanings. Thirteen chief academic officers and deans were asked, "If you had several items of advice for new colleagues, what would they be?" (Author/MLW)