This discussion focuses on the intersection of two dissonant concepts of importance in today's educational scene--democracy and accountability. In this article, we describe how these conflicting ideologies might be resolved, theoretically and practically, through democratically accountable leadership--that is, the dual necessity of educational…

The purpose of this case study was to understand engagement in action research as a form of professional development for practicing principals and the subsequent knowledge constructed as a result. The research team followed five principals through 1 year of professional development, which focused on supporting each principal in the design and…

Districts play a key and relatively unexamined role in distributed leadership research. This article explores how leadership was distributed through a district structure designed to improve the quality of teaching by improving the quality of teacher evaluation. It examines peer assistance and review, a policy designed to address the key problems…

In this original qualitative study, we examined the processes employed by a school district that had made progress in closing achievement gaps in a post-No Child Left Behind context. The district served more than 26,000 students in an economically and ethnically diverse community. Secondary analysis of the findings uncovered a primary…

Person-organization fit theorizes perceptions of congruity between applicants and organizational characteristics in hiring decisions. This study extends person-organization fit to teacher selection in rural districts, hypothesizing that officials with strong rural values favor applicants who reflect the community's sense of place. Rural values of…

Analyzes policy discourse (interviews and documents) on standards-based administrator licensure (certification) reform initiatives in two states--Indiana and North Carolina--designed to improve the quality of school leaders. Analysis focuses on social justice and equity issues related to licensure policies. Finds policymakers' commitment to social…

Describes Auburn University College of Education educational policy development class and resulting student learning outcomes. (Contains 24 references.) (PKP)

This article explores a reciprocal relationship between leadership capacity and collective efficacy in a pre-K-8 school in the Southern United States that continually advances as a professional learning community. Survey data from this mixed methodology study showed significant positive correlations among subgroup scales measuring leadership…

Creating learning communities in low-performing districts and schools is especially daunting in an era of accountability and standards-based assessment. This article describes research that informed application of Southwest Educational Development Laboratory's Working Systemically model for increased student achievement. The article highlights 4…

Investigated the nature and extent of externally imposed interruptions to teaching and learning sessions in 12 schools in Western Canada, using survey questionnaires and nonparticipant observation strategies. Frequency of class intrusions may be underestimated, and more concerted efforts may be necessary to address the problem. (MLH)

Reports on a longitudinal study examining implementation of a Quality Management reform based on Deming's seven principles. Interview and survey data from a national sample of purposefully chosen high schools show limited results as to teachers' effective use and institutionalization of TQM principles. The principal's role is critical. (Contains…

This article offers information about a district's school improvement efforts to reculture as a professional learning community, which we believe exemplifies the school and district levels of Fullan's (2004b, 2005) tri-level model. We use Fullan's eight elements of sustainability to organize the data gathered in interviews with school and district…

Although educators have received the brunt of accountability criticisms (based on increasing property taxes amid decreasing student achievement scores), the responsibility for educational success or failure depends on community involvement, political and administrative leadership, university-based standards, teacher competency, and student…

Examines three student accountability measures (standardized tests, performance-based assessment, and structural assessment) through two different theoretical perspectives: structural functionalism and feminist poststructuralism. Educators can use various kinds of assessments in ways that maintain the status quo or support equity and justice for…

The need for more and better-prepared educational leaders has led to greater program effort to adhere to national leadership standards and form university-district partnerships for improved preparation, particularly in creating better-quality internships and more supportive structures. This article compares 3 leadership preparation programs--2…