This paper describes the uses of portfolios for the preparation and continuing professional development of educators, with a focus on the use of portfolios as an important part of administrator development. It looks at the use of portfolios as a way to promote more effective and intensive continued learning among educational leaders. A brief…

A knowledge base to guide the development of educational leadership programs is suggested in this report. The first part reviews sources of the educational leadership knowledge base, which include the traditional sources of school administrator experience and statutory specification, and recent sources, such as research on administrator induction…

Findings of a study that examined the effect of participation in Danforth Foundation-sponsored principal training programs on participants' perceptions of leadership and administrative behaviors are presented in this paper. The field-based program aims to increase minority representation in educational leadership. Interviews, on-site observation,…

A model designed to assist planners of professional development programs develop training programs for administrative mentors is described in this paper. A brief overview of basic concepts and definitions of mentoring is followed by a discussion of factors necessary to the development of mentoring, which are: trust, adequate resources, open…

As this monograph shows, information exists regarding mentoring's value in private business and benefits experienced by mentored school administrators. However, the literature contains few descriptions regarding benefits realized by individuals serving as mentors in programs designed to prepare educational leaders. A recent study involved the use…

This article looks at the problems and issues characteristic of the beginning years of principalship. Recommendations for strengthening the potential leadership contributions of incoming administrators are proposed. (MT)

This book is intended to serve as a practical guide to developing, implementing, and appraising mentoring programs for school and district leaders. It describes mentoring and discusses why it is an important issue in professional development. A three-phase model is presented to help lead school districts and individual school personnel through the…

This paper reviews the methodology of recent research (1979-84) on staff development and inservice teacher education in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. A research agenda for the future is suggested. (Author/MT)

Certain characteristics qualify individuals to serve as mentor principals, including experience as practicing school administrators, demonstration of positive leadership qualities, ability to question beginning administrators appropriately, acceptance of alternative management methods, desire to promote exceptional performance, ability to model…

This keynote talk addresses future trends in educational administration and reviews the ways in which attention to professional development for school administrators can help people to become better prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Future trends include (1) a growing awareness of the importance of instructional leadership; (2)…

Since beginning principals have increasingly complex responsibilities, collegial support for these administrators should be encouraged through "buddy" systems, principal centers, and structured inservice activities designed to promote interaction with district colleagues. Includes 14 references. (MLH)

Examines three past conceptualizations of school administration and leadership (scientific or efficiency approaches, the human relations approach, and human resources development), outlines assumptions of each approach, and discusses implications for administrators' professional development. Current restructuring and school-based management…

Two trends have become issues for school management in recent years. One is that educational leadership is becoming increasingly a more complex and difficult job to carry out and the other is that an increasing number of people with little administrative experience are moving into educational roles. The implementation of local, school…

Describes a recent study of principals' evaluations and perceptions concerning the quality of inservice learning experiences based on five alternative models. Findings disclosed participants' preferences for short-term institutes sponsored by a professional association and informal networking. More work is needed to design effective inservice…

Reviews and describes some major issues associated with implementing effective mentoring schemes to support educational leaders, drawing on the authors' experiences with developing such programs in the United States. Although significant differences exist practically and philosophically in U.S. and British educational management systems, mentoring…