The purpose for this article is to explore the juxtaposition of legal expectations, conflicting community cultural values, and the role of the superintendent in these connected but often conflicting issues. The authors explore several issues through the lens of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs, the "Equal Access Act," and the role of the…

Examines the causes of conflict and various methods of managing it. Argues that by confronting disputes and providing a process that encourages their productive management, managers may help guarantee that the healthy aspects of conflict flourish in their organization. Available from Business Horizons, School of Business, Indiana University,…

It is not easy being a principal. The principal's job is not just set the vision for a school, but also to make sure that everyone embraces that vision and works to make it a reality. In the process, principals will be occasionally be seen as "enforcers." Principals must make hard decisions, and virtually no decision is appreciated by everyone.…

Techniques of conflict resolution are discussed as a means of effecting constructive change. The Collegial, Zero-Sum, and Strategic Negotiation models of conflict are outlined, a sequence of necessary resolution steps is presented, and an approach for arbitrating third-party disputes is proposed. (MSE)

Conflict, a common managerial problem, offers opportunities for creative and positive actions. "Win-win" conflict resolution, which occurs chiefly through compromise, contribution, and synthesis tactics, requires trust, commitment, communication, and dialog. It can be encouraged by generating positive feelings, redirecting negative…

When academic officers must settle conflicts, knowledge of the law is insufficient. Advice of counsel and formulations of law cannot substitute for their frequent and confident articulation and interpretation of well-understood professional values, because they are responsible for assuring the integrity and quality of educational programs. (MSE)

This paper is a rejoinder to Professor Allison's (2002) critical discussion of the body of work christened the Victorian Quartet (1978; 1983; 1991; 1996), "Hodgkinson's Paradoxical Paradigm." The rejoinder considers a few issues that might help form an agenda for research in the field of administrative axiology, focusing on values and…

The role of the University Visitor, whose traditional function is to mediate conflict within a university and contribute to its governance, is examined in the context of Australian higher education. Medieval English ecclesiastical origins of the office are described, and calls for abolition are examined. It is argued that the office should be…

Instrumental to successful democratic leadership is the use of committees to solve management problems. In democratic leadership, a leader encourages participation and uses a guidance approach to direct a group toward consensus. This document offers leaders guidelines in effective democratic management of meetings. The authors first discuss the…

The author presents ideas on what the school administrator should know in order to successfully manage conflict situations so that the conflict does not impede school functioning, and suggests that proper handling of the inevitable conflict situations that arise can bring about group cohesiveness and unity. (KC)

Educational administrators cannot avoid interacting daily with diverse groups of people including teachers, students, parents, school boards, and the community around the school. Each of these groups has its own problems, needs, views, expectations, and demands which often conflict with the ideals, demands, and views of others in the educational…

The paper addresses practical issues involved for building principals in mediating to determine the most "free appropriate public education" for handicapped children and avoiding due process hearings. Mediation is viewed as an ongoing process, and the harmful effects of legal battles over a child's placement or evaluation are noted. The paper…

Compares a school superintendent's unsuccessful management of conflict with community groups and the successful methods of a city manager. Notes differences in the two administrators' attitudes toward conflict management, public involvement, and professional status. (RW)

Addresses the following issues related to employee problem resolution: confronting rather than ignoring problems; preparing for confrontation and resolution of problems; the role of administration and middle management; character and trust as leadership factors; and management and supervisory training. (six references) (MES)

Three main themes in the conflict experienced by college department heads are examined: conflict inherent in the structure of higher education (institutional), conflict created when people work together (interpersonal), and that woven into the chair position (positional). These conflicts are not necessarily negative or positive; these…