The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss problems that arise in educational administration when organizations and systems are staffed by persons with specialist qualifications who regard themselves as professionals. It discusses three possible conflicts between administrators and professionals, factors conducive to such conflict, and…

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…

Discusses mediation as an avenue of exploration for department chairs who are finding themselves overwhelmed by disputes among their ranks. Draws on mediation research in describing different approaches to resolving conflict. (TB)

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…

Many educational administrators feel seriously lacking in advocacy training. They want to be able to deal with disruptive conflicts and adversary situations with legislative bodies, parent groups, and executive agencies. When 19 school administrators were polled informally, they asked for advocacy training to help them acquire the skills of…

Suggestions are made for creating healthy working relationships within a college administration and for improving the administrator's ability to cope with college politics. After introductory material examining the difficulty some educators, especially women, experience in utilizing power and politics to achieve desired goals, the report discusses…

The major purpose of this study is to further understanding of conflict management in educational governance. The study compares and contrasts the conflict management behaviors of 52 superintendents and 52 city managers and the conditions that are associated with such behaviors. The sample was drawn from the San Francisco (California) and Chicago…

Discusses the characteristics of pressure groups and how they attempt to influence decision making. Provides a synthesis of three typologies classifying pressure groups. Offers school administrators suggestions for dealing with pressure groups, emphasizing the need to accommodate various interests within the educational system. (MLF)

This report describes the sources and substance of conflicts as revealed by city managers and superintendents. The data presented are from interviews conducted for a study that compares and contrasts the conflict management behaviors of 52 superintendents and 52 city managers and the conditions that are associated with them. The purpose of the…

The use of neutrals in higher education collective bargaining is considered, with specific reference to a pilot project in which a neutral worked for over a year with the administration and faculty union at a two-year public community college. Eighteen propositions that may promote the creative use of third parties are offered, including the…

Persons with expertise in a particular problem area and persons who will be affected by the action taken to correct that problem should be involved from the outset in the decision-making process. (Author/MLW)

Notes problems that center directors can face in everyday encounters and proposes a technique that can facilitate and help preserve fairness in difficult situations. Details the four components of the model: describe, express, specify, and consequences. Suggests that this strategy combines emotion and logic into a short message with clear…

This book's 14 chapters provide models of conflict management and practical guidance for those working in institutions of higher education. The chapters are: (1) "What's It All About? Conflict in Academia" (Susan A. Holton); (2) "Administration in an Age of Conflict" (Gerald Graff); (3) "The Janus Syndrome: Managing Conflict from the Middle"…

Discusses some of the difficulties faced by presidents of tribal colleges, including underfunding and political infighting. Emphasizes the need for presidents to have a fast learning curve, be a good mediator, use participatory management techniques, and maintain personal integrity. States that tribal colleges play a major role in developing…

In 1989, President George Bush met with the nation's governors and the foundation was laid for the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act" (signed into law March 1994). The act provides funds to underwrite states' development and implementation of content and performance standards and associated assessment methodologies directed toward helping…