All around us are examples of people and organizations with good information making bad decisions. Consider the case of Blockbuster. Less than a decade ago, Blockbuster had 8,000 stores in 17 countries and millions of customers. It was awash in data, including customer surveys that said people disliked going to video stores and hated late fees.…

Discusses the role of instructional leaders and suggests resources that can aid leaders in enhancing learning. (JG)

Of more importance than any lofty concept of the principal's leadership are crucial, mundane, support functions--which can be carried out by supervisors and teachers as well as by principals. (Author)

Describes use of the Sexton-Switzer Educational Management Grid to help school leaders analyze their own management style and argues that there are appropriate situations for both the "authoritarian" and "student developmental" styles. (JG)

By merging the roles of teacher and administrator, a stronger and more stable system can emerge. Joint problem solving and decision making lead to innovative ideas. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the concept of double alignment, where the curriculum, instruction, and assessment are aligned to both state standards and the needs of students. Describes curricular, instructional, assessment, and administrative features of double alignment. (Contains 10 references.) (PKP)

Discusses some of the causes of public alienation from education and suggests ways that educational leaders can combat this alienation and help build public support for the schools. (JG)

As schools are typically organized, children work under the guidance of female teachers employed by a male principal (the boss) empowered to interrupt their classes at will and mete out discipline. The principal serves as district stationmaster but not necessarily as educator. Two hypothetical examples show how teachers and secretaries can…

Consistent, significant, continuous school improvement depends on enhancing 12 aspects of the school culture: collegiality; experimentation; high expectations; trust and confidence; tangible support; awareness of new knowledge; appreciation and recognition; caring, celebration, and humor; participatory decision-making; protection of vital…

Describes a human resources development program for school administrators, including training in management functions, leader behavior skills, instructional leadership skills, and more traditional topics. (Author/JM)

By describing a typical hectic week in the life of an assistant principal, the author demonstrates why there is little time for educational leadership. (JM)

New curriculum developments, supervisory strategies, and management techniques in 16 major city school systems are helping students and redefining the roles of supervisors and principals. Common elements are strong leadership, more authority for principals, and school-based management. (Author/MLF)

Describes the results of an intensive study of Chicago elementary schools on how relational trust among teachers, students, parents, and principals influences school-reform efforts. Relational trust is grounded in respect, personal regard, competence in core role responsibilities, and personal integrity. Describes the benefits of relational trust…

The author of The Carnegie Foundation's "High School: A Report on Secondary Education in America" outlines four strategies for improving educational quality: (1) a coherent vision of educational objectives, (2) renewed emphasis on writing and thinking skills, (3) a core of common learning, and (4) strong school leadership at the local…