In recent years, policy changes in American education have refocused a spotlight on principal instructional leadership. Although in previous eras the professional literature exhorted principals to "be instructional leaders," there were few sanctions if they failed to do so. In the current policy context, however, instructional leadership has…

A new position always requires an adjustment period. No matter how much assistance staff members provide to the new principal, it helps to have a guide book that includes budget information, memos, charts, descriptions, staff information, grade-reporting procedures, data-processing calendars, disciplinary procedures, and any other information…

Induction programs should be designed to reflect school administrators' unique learning needs. Effective induction programs have three critical components: preprogram planning, mentoring, and program evaluation. Planning involves establishing a school board policy, conducting a preliminary needs assessment, specifying goals, identifying needed…

Several key elements are recommended for a comprehensive substitute teacher support system: establishing a feasible substitute pool; compiling a district manual and building handbooks, including substitutes at staff meetings; overseeing teacher preparation for substitutes; coordinating and supervising substitutes; and providing for adequate…

Because assistant principals are essential to the smooth functioning of a secondary school and the success of its principal, attention must be given to facilitating veteran newcomers' adjustment. New assistant principals should be given a realistic picture of the district and be assigned responsibilities corresponding to the newcomer's talents.…

The new principal should not plan or implement major school changes during the first month. The first-year principal's initial areas of concern should be to understand the school's political and organizational environments and to obtain a clear notion of how to run a good school. Includes one reference. (MLH)

Uses case studies of 20 assistant principals from 11 school districts to explore connections between position orientations and career mobility. Categorizes position orientations as upwardly mobile, career oriented, "plateaued" or "shafted" (through nonpromotion or lack of sponsorship), alternative career oriented, or downwardly mobile. Discusses…

Certain characteristics qualify individuals to serve as mentor principals, including experience as practicing school administrators, demonstration of positive leadership qualities, ability to question beginning administrators appropriately, acceptance of alternative management methods, desire to promote exceptional performance, ability to model…

The organizational socialization process involves four stages: confronting and accepting organizational reality, achieving role clarity, locating oneself in the organizational context, and detecting signposts of successful socialization. To help orient beginning teachers, some guidelines and a sample orientation process are provided. Includes four…

To help transfer students adjust more readily to new schools, several activities are advised, including a guided buddy system, a counseling plan, and teacher introductions--all based on information gleaned from a new student checklist. (MLH)

To help beginning principals create unique professional development plans, Texas A & M University Principals' Center has developed the Management Profile built around a videotaped interview of open-ended questions. Trained assessors review the video, compare responses with a standards matrix, and encourage principals to choose a mentor/coach…

Schools need not rule out fund raising, trips, and contests. Well-organized groups of music students washing cars at local gas stations can create more positive publicity and goodwill toward music programs than can hundreds of news releases. Exchange concerts, trips to nearby schools, and competition against a predetermined scale can substitute…

Despite the tremendous changes wrought by technology, folktales contain certain truths about life, human nature, and what's needed to maintain a viable, socially sane society. Folktales are invaluable for stressing heroic actions, personal and social growth, and progress toward meaningful goals. (MLH)

Four major areas (office traffic, the telephone, organization, and discipline) consume much of a school administrator's time. Because principals of small and rural secondary schools do not always have adequate personnel support, planning a daily calendar, setting priorities, and delegating to other administrators and staff are essential…

Staff development planning must consider the local environment and unique staff culture, along with intended goals. Effective staff development vision components include people philosophy, renewal by improving, differentiated supervision, a community of learners, connections and networks, self-directed involvement, a single mission, teamwork,…