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 is a highly practical book for the first-year principal or for the assistant principal looking ahead to promotion. In place of abstract generalities, it offers real-life vignettes and scenarios that may be faced by typical first-year principals. The skill checklists are intended to be realistic and unintimidating. Step-by-step explanations…

Beginning principals experience problems in three areas: role clarification, technical problems, and socialization to the profession. Formation, a method to help people synthesize learning acquired through coursework and field experiences, has five elements: mentoring, personal reflection, educational platform development, appreciation of…

Describes results of a study using indepth interviews with practicing administrators working directly with aspiring administrators enrolled in the Danforth Foundation Program for the Preparation of School Principals. Mentoring activities benefit both proteges and mentors. Encouraging experienced administrators to serve as mentors may be a powerful…

Mentoring has become an accepted and desirable part of the preservice preparation of educational administrators. This paper focuses on the responsibilities of those who are being mentored, often referred to as "mentees" or "proteges." It is argued that mentoring is a teaching-learning process to which participants bring…

Discusses the unique needs of school principals early in their careers, describing ways the needs have been addressed through enactment of an entry-year program in Ohio that involves structured and formal mentoring activities. The program stresses that mentoring and induction should fit a more comprehensive program of professional development. (SM)

Briefly reviews the current status of research on mentoring as a form of professional development for school leaders. Presents alternative definitions of mentoring and reviews several recent studies on administrator mentoring. Discusses limitations in research design, methodologies, and findings, and charts possible new research directions. (19…

The Socorro Independent School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas. In response to the complex issue of a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse student population, poverty, and shrinking pool of educational leader candidates, the district launched an Assistant Principals Academy, designed to prepare individuals to step…

It is generally accepted that effective principals make for effective schools. In the United Kingdom, the key player providing needed intelligence, vision, energy, and thinking is called the headteacher. The issue considered broadly in this paper is educational leadership in the UK. It addresses the critical role of the headteacher and how to…

This paper identifies four common dilemmas that educators face across the globe: (1) meeting political demands for increased effectiveness and productivity; (2) providing education in ways that are consistent with the realities of diversity; (3) maintaining a focus on moral and ethical practice; and (4) determining the proper balance between…

Recent research has suggested that administrator preparation programs based exclusively on university courses are not very effective. Individuals progressing through innovative programs allowing greater opportunities for reflection and collaborative school/university activities should be better prepared to deal with the complex issues facing…

This paper explores three models of professional development--from medicine, law, and the Catholic priesthood--to assess the extent to which these approaches may improve the ways in which aspiring school administrators are prepared for their new positions. The review is based on an examination of research and literature in three areas: the needs…

Findings of a study that determined the benefits of mentoring as part of an administrator preparation program are discussed in this paper. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine practicing administrators, who worked directly with aspiring administrators who served as candidates in one cycle of the Danforth Foundation Program for the…

Educational reform commissions and state departments of education across the United States have recommended that would-be administrators spend more time in planned field experiences, internships, and other practica and on-the-job learning activities. Despite this need, systematic research on experiential learning for administrators is remarkably…

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…