Case studies of five urban high schools illustrate some important factors that appear to be crucial in determining whether or not reform efforts are implemented. Among these factors are the following: (1) teacher participation; (2) collegiality among staff members; (3) shared belief that change can occur; (4) leadership by the principal; (5)…

Tom Lindersmith, principal of Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego (Oregon) manages a highly motivated school of 1,100 students and 68 staff by emphasizing facilitation, coordination, and delegation as the elements of instructional leadership. Lindersmith sees himself primarily as a facilitator--supporting and encouraging new ideas and programs…

Identifying an instructional leader as a principal who engages in activities that significantly affect the learning that goes on in the school, this article profiles an elementary school principal recognized by the Oregon Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development as one of the state's most effective instructional leaders. The author…

In Iowa the number of handicapped school students is increasing even as total enrollments decline, probably because slow learners are being reclassified as "mildly handicapped" to make them eligible for special education funds and programs. As a result there may soon be more handicapped students than the state can afford. To avoid this,…

The role of the academic dean, role conflicts, and the occupational experiences and performance of deans are considered. Role conflict for academic deans is related to clashing constituencies, role ambiguity, lack of correspondence between organization requirements and the personalities of incumbent deans, changing organizational needs over time,…

The availability of compact, low-cost computer systems provides a means of assisting classroom teachers in the performance of their duties. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and computer-managed instruction (CMI) are two applications of computer technology with which school administrators should become familiar. CAI is a teaching medium in which…

This volume of New Directions for Community Colleges contains the following articles: (1) "Toward a Definition of Deaning," by Douglas Robillard, Jr.; (2) "The Dean as Chief Academic Officer," by John Stuart Erwin; (3) "The Dean and the Faculty," by Hans A. Andrews; (4) "The Dean and the President," by Hans J. Kuss; (5) "Aspects of Difficult…

Secondary school educators are concerned with increasing parental involvement; raising attendance levels, grades, and test scores; reducing behavior problems; and improving the community's perceptions of the schools. This document is comprised of two brief articles. The first describes how to establish an Academic Booster Club to help accomplish…

This thematic issue is made up of papers by practicing administrators and university personnel on the topic of cooperative learning. The following articles are included: (1) "The Cooperative Learning Environment: Restructuring without Rebuilding" (Harvey C. Foyle and Lawrence Lyman); (2) "The Role of the Administrator When Adopting Cooperative…

This Bulletin investigates the role of the principal in fostering a school climate conducive to collegial supervision--teachers observing teachers and working together for instructional improvement. Chapter 1 attempts to put into perspective the traditional responsibilities of the principal as instructional leader and teacher evaluator. Collegial…

Without changing teaching methods or asking for additional funds, a small western Oregon elementary school district made dramatic gains in test scores in less than one school year. The superintendent spearheaded a cooperative effort by the district's administrators and teachers to revise the curriculum, beginning by compiling and displaying, in…

These four issues of "ACCT Trustee Quarterly" present 35 articles on topics of concern to community college trustees, including finance, administration, and mission. Specific articles cover: (1) public relations (C. Akemann and M. Hopkins); (2) president selection (A. Bailey); (3) board/president relations (D. Bryant); (4) educators as trustees…

The theme of this special journal issue is theatre administration. The journal is divided into four parts: a short introduction and three major sections on the role of the theatre chair, theatre administration in the 1980's, and evaluating creative work. Among others, topics covered in the issue's 13 articles include (1) the changing nature of the…

Administrators can use the strategies described in this article to encourage the development of self-discipline in their students without using punishments or training students to be conformists. Teachers who need help maintaining student discipline can be identified in several ways, including through analysis of disciplinary referrals. Class…

Teacher absenteeism is a growing problem, according to this short guide on reducing absenteeism. The author briefly reviews the research data on absenteeism from national, state, and district sources. She lists the average costs of teacher substitution by district size and the characteristics of both districts and teachers with bad absence…