Teachers participating in a school's budget development understand better why resources are allocated as they are. Participative budgeting involves submission of prioritized requests by each department's teachers, review of the requests by the principal, and revision of the requests by department heads in response to each other's demonstrated…

Achieving flexibility without losing student accountability is a challenge that faces every school. With a fluid block schedule, as described here, accountability is maintained without inhibiting flexibility. An additional advantage is that three levels of schedule decision making take some of the pressure off the principal. (Editor)

President Warren Bennis of the University of Cincinnati depicts in refreshingly direct language the dilemma facing the nation's institutions of higher learning. (Editor)

For a concise exposition of what management by objectives is and what it could mean for schools, with special reference to the principalship, this article is recommended reading. (Editor)

Both the curricula and methodology of preparing principals is the subject of this article. Describing procedures that work, it will interest principals as well as professors of school administration. (Editor)

The author assesses the contributions to educational planning of the National Assessment of Education Progress. He gives examples of the findings and asks questions as to how they can be utilized by school systems. (Editor) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Utilization).

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

The effective administrator needs an understanding of planning, decision-making, communication, and professional ethics. (Author/JM)

Makes a case for leadership training for students and lists course objectives, including defining leadership, identifying situations for practicing leadership, analyzing and practicing leadership skills, and distinguishing among leadership styles. (Author/JM)

Summarizes a survey of Ohio superintendents' and other administrative supervisors' perceptions of the career-threatening problems experienced by principals. Respondents were asked to rate the deficiency effect of 23 administrative competencies later grouped into 7 clusters. Principals perceived as at risk most frequently experience problems with…

Principals desiring to be effective leaders will involve stakeholders in a process defining the school's destination. A preferred vision can be clearly stipulated if stakeholders develop a statement of beliefs, conduct external and internal scanning to determine trends, and identify critical success factors. Includes seven references. (MLH)

To achieve excellence in education, school leaders need to dispel five myths concerning educators' talent and commitment, higher teacher salaries, societal influences on schools, tough educational standards, and the free market or voucher system. The key is visionary leadership based on openness to change and educator empowerment. (MLH)

Describes three strategies for involving faculty members in setting school goals and implementing programs to reach these goals. Offers principals suggestions for developing building-level faculty committees through administrative advisory and instructional improvement councils. Such activities enhance instructional leadership. (MLH)

Asked about principals' leadership role, Peters claims we've gone wrong by emphasizing the superstructure over the unit commander and by taking "leading" and "managing" distinctions too seriously. Vision and people skills are all-important. Unfortunately, schools have drawn from the worst of private-sector management and…

Although parents are eager to play all roles at school from tutor to decision maker, they are hindered by lack of support from educators. Superintendents, school boards, principals, and teachers must rethink the definition of power and control. Real power means that all stakeholders, including parents, make decisions together to meet students'…