Drawing on literature concerning department chairs' role as either administrators (line personnel) or teachers (staff personnel), this essay concludes that both roles are important and that well-developed human relations skills and managerial skills are equally necessary. (MJL)

Noting that careful selection of assemblies can result in meaningful programs functioning as supplements to classroom learning and bridges to the community, this article describes one principal's assembly planning considerations and procedures. (MJL)

A positive school climate, good school discipline, effective teaching, and good community relations can all be furthered with the development of adequate communication among administrators, teachers, parents, and students, but the administrators must accept a leadership role in the process. (PGD)

Details a five-step approach for making the first-year principal successful: prearrival information gathering, sizing up, positioning, polarizing, and accepting. (MD)

Recent trends are reviewed in support of the contention that urban education is returning to the educational mainstream. The emphasis on professional accountability and the principal as instructional leader, the promise of effective schools research, stronger school-business relationships, and more effective public relations are discussed. (MJL)

Principals are advised of sound communication practices for relieving teachers' anxiety about reassignment and motivating them toward achieving their new school's instructional goals. (MJL)

This review of the work of Maryland's Commission on Values Education excerpts recommended student character and citizenship objectives and personnel policies for administrators, including policies requiring principals' leadership in values education. (MJL)

Lack of discipline as a major problem in schools crops up annually in the Gallup Poll of Public Attitudes Toward Education. Yet, educators feel that they're in a legal strait jacket, unable to punish student offenders. How can educators get out of this double bind? Options still remain open, says this author. (Editor)

This study concentrated on the principal-student communications process with an examination of a number of important variables related to communications. (Author/RK)

A serious lack of sophistication marks our efforts to combat drug abuse, the author believes. We must consider the complex relationships among the individual, drugs, and society to create effective drug education programs. (Editor)

The author expresses his concern about the effectiveness of teacher negotiations. He asks many basic questions about the process, and urges administrators to key roles in decision making. (Editor)

After an analysis of the dimensions that they believe indicate quality, the authors suggest actions that principals can take to pursue excellence in their schools. (JW)

Surveys teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school board members for opinions on whether each of 18 major characteristics commonly associated with effective schools could actually be included in the local school programs. Suggests courses of action for superintendents. (JW)

Administrators seeking the cooperation of teachers in the classroom observation phase of teacher evaluations should establish well-defined criteria in the areas of planning, technical skills, instructional skills, and classroom management so that teachers can recognize the evaluation process as an objective attempt to encourage their professional…

Research and professional education efforts in educational administration have concentrated too much on management practice and not enough on educational leadership. Studies indicate that principals of effective schools are involved in instructional matters. Principals should generally increase both their formal and their informal support of…