There is no greater economic indicator than enrollment numbers in early care and education centers. Accordingly, as FTEs (full-time equivalents) move up or down, the need for staff fluctuates as well. What does not change, however, is the absolute need for quality staff, regardless of economic conditions. The greatest challenge in early care and…

In recent years, Americans have awakened to the profound connection between community college student success and the strength of our nation. That community colleges matter deeply is clear from a few simple facts: (1) They educate over 7 million degree-seeking students, more than 40 percent of the U.S. college population; (2) They have in recent…

Teacher turnover plagues schools and fatigues principals everywhere: More than 40 percent of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years. This article presents a guide which offers practical recommendations to principals who are dedicated to retaining and developing new teachers. Brief facetious suggestions are given for…

Showing that one really "wants" the job entails more than just really wanting the job. An interview is part Broadway casting call, part intellectual dating game, part personality test, and part, well, job interview. When there are 300 applicants for a position, many of them will "fit" the required (and even the preferred) skills listed in the job…

The purpose of the article is to discuss the glittering, bejeweled, daring, illegitimate stepsister of questionable character in the collegiate environment: the department of athletics. The author argues how this stepsister might become legitimate if the product of athletics were viewed and valued differently. An argument is presented that if…

Authority as a philosophical concept is defined both in general and as it applies to engineering education. Authority is shown to be a good and necessary part of social structures, in contrast to some cultural trends that regard it as an unnecessary and outmoded evil. Technical, educational, and organizational authority in their normal functions…

Recent New Leaders' research found principals are critical to teacher success in three ways: (1) developing teachers--working with teachers to improve skill and classroom practice; (2) managing talent--hiring, placing teachers, and monitoring performance; and (3) creating a great place to work--shaping schools into places where teachers want to…

College sports is a billion-dollar enterprise whose leaders pride themselves on taking care of athletes. But lately many institutions have lost that focus. Broad proposals to change the game have historically fallen short. But what if the focus is narrowed, reorganizing around the needs of students? This article presents five ideas for doing that:…

This case describes initial conflicts experienced by a new superintendent that involve faculty resistance and diminished academic expectations at the high school, compared with the district's other schools. Compounding the situation is the fact that the Board of Education was bitterly divided when reaching their superintendent hiring decision,…

Selecting a new district leader is always a challenge for school board members. A poor decision can lead to difficulties for everyone associated with the school district including the newly appointed superintendent. By relying on the wisdom and experience of the current superintendent, boards of education enhance their chances of selecting the…

Authors and co-directors of "Public Impact," Emily Ayscue Hassel and Bryan C. Hassel state that, looking back over the decades, no one is really getting what they want. Teachers are no closer to achieving the societal respect and substantial, sustainable rewards for their contributions that they deserve, and student achievement has…

This document provides an overview of research findings presented and audience response at the "state-the-science" conference conducted by Cornell University October 22-23, 2013 in Washington, D.C. on the topic of "Innovative Research on Employment Practices: Improving Employment for People with Disabilities." An overview of…

There's never been a more challenging time to find a position as an academic librarian, especially for those who have recently completed their library education. Whether job-hunters are jumping into the job pool for the very first time, or back in the water after a dry spell, Neely and her crack team of expert contributors have the information…

Faculty recruitment is a challenge for administration and departments, especially in an era of change in the academy. This article builds on information from an interactive conference panel session that focused on faculty recruitment best practices. The article addresses faculty recruitment strategies that focus on the optimization of search…

When directors sit down to advertise for new staff, it is often not a happy moment. Directors quite naturally write ads from their perspectives as employers and sometimes emphasize that attribute which the leave-taking staff member lacked, e.g. "must be reliable," leading an applicant to believe that reliability is a big issue at this program. The…