This study is designed to understand how principals perceive the common stressors associated with leading an educational enterprise and propose strategies for relief from job-related stressors. As such, the same survey results from principals in 2009 and 2012 are analyzed. The results indicated increases in the perceived state of stress with…

Examines the dynamics of conflict and anger expressed by irate parents and offers principals a simple, effective method to resolve conflict and reduce anger in an integrative way. Well-managed conflict helps improve interpersonal relationships, promote healthy interaction, and develop creative, synergistic solutions to undesirable situations. (MLH)

Success in conferring with hostile parents is a result of careful planning, understanding human behavior, and frontline experience. This article encourages principals to develop the necessary skills to handle emotion-charged encounters with alienated, calculative, and committed parents. (MLH)

What a new principal did to quiet an embattled school, and how he did it, are described by that principal. (AN)

Focuses on the identification of principles and strategies to be followed in conflict resolution. (Author/MLF)

This article lists suggestions for coping with the tensions of a teacher strike. Emphasizing the central role of the building principal, the author advocates planning for three strike stages--prestrike, the strike period, and poststrike. (Author/DS)

A recent study of Houston secondary schools shows that assistant principals' work centers on routine clerical tasks, custodial duties, and discipline. Daily activities are characterized by brevity, variety, and fragmentation. Assistant principals are seldom charged with instructional improvement activities, except for teacher appraisal. The…

The principal is expected to resolve conflict that stems from school board policy clashing with personal need. Board policy of necessity deals in generalities. A parallel is drawn between the principal and the sin-eater--the man who, for little payment, was believed to consume the sins of the deceased. (Author/MLF)

Highlights what the literature says about conflict and its resolution. (IRT)

An instrument is presented for self-assessment by secondary school principals to identify both their willingness to intervene and their style of intervention in conflict situations with students and colleagues. (Author/MLF)

Offers ten tips intended to help administrators make decisions and resolve conflicts. (Author/JM)

Humor can be a powerful, productive tool to help teachers succeed in the classroom. Humor cultivates spirit, alleviates stress, improves communication, and diffuses conflict. Reviews types of humor (satire, cheerfulness, eccentricity, and sarcasm), discusses humor's classroom uses and benefits, and shows how school leaders can introduce humor into…

Instead of relegating their assistant principal to discipline and attendance, the Frankfurt (West Germany) American High School restructured the AP role to focus on instructional leadership, employee supervision, collegiality, training, and positive student interactions. Conflict resolution, lunchtime intramurals, town hall meetings, and a…

Believes that the principalship is the key position for facilitating change, this author provides practical suggestions for the principal as change-agent. (Editor)

In response to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments (1997), the Virginia Department of Education implemented a statewide mediation system that includes eight mediators to resolve parent-school conflicts involving special-education issues. An impartial third party helps disputants reach agreement in a nonthreatening atmosphere.…