A survey of 228 Indiana elementary educators examined the administrative role behavior of service deliverers to handicapped students. Role perceptions of special education directors and principals were compared with the expectations of regular and special class teachers and superintendents. The study revealed considerable ambiguity and the…

Presents a theoretical construct of teacher supervision within the time constraints common to most principals. Offers suggestions for modifying the preconference, observation, postconference cycle of teacher evaluation to make it more efficient and effective. (FL)

Two studies demonstrate that teachers' views of administrative behavior have profound implications for the reactions of teachers to school policy matters in general and to evaluations of their teaching in particular. (Editor)

Of the significant differences observed between role conception, behaviors, perceptions, and expectations, the most striking finding was the magnitude of the discrepancies between principals' reported actual behavior and the expectations expressed by teachers. (Author/IRT)

African-American urban elementary school principals were interviewed regarding how their race and gender statuses influenced perceptions about their administrative roles. Race and gender statuses were important in shaping these principals' social constructions of their administrative roles and their sense of mission vis a vis students. Race,…

The dean of the social work school in a public research university reflects on how the nature of the institution affects the dean's role and presents unique leadership challenges. Issues discussed include budgetary pressures, concerns about the student population, the aging infrastructure for education and research, shifting priorities, global…

Examines role transitions and role strain resulting from restructuring initiatives in four districts. The 20 principals interviewed had acquired coping skills. Cognitive restructuring and environmental factors moderated role strain effects, along with experience, tenure of position, staff trust, personal leadership style, and degree of autonomy…

State endorsements of site-based management frequently overlook the development of skills necessary for collegial teamwork and strategies for demonstrating administrators' sincere commitment to the process. This article describes symbolic actions that some administrators have taken to develop new skills and build the necessary trust for assuming…

Teachers are isolated from their peers by classroom walls and invisible school barriers. Many evaluation systems are outmoded, and few opportunities exist for teachers and principals to stretch their traditional roles. Professional Partnerships, an alternative evaluation process, addresses these common concerns. Teachers establish voluntary…

The research administrator of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pennsylvania) discusses issues in the transformation of the company from a technology-driven to a business-driven organization, a process in which the technical and business segments of the organization work as teams toward successful innovation. (MSE)

College administrators must find a balance between their administrative roles and the responsibility of assuring academic freedom to faculty. When they do this well, most administrative problems are resolved without excessive difficulty. Appropriate managerial strategies can help mediate professional/administrative conflict. (MSE)

The ideal college president does not exist, and our mythic thinking obscures a serious consideration of how we can create the conditions for more successful college and university leadership. Success is correlated with support, but not all support is equal; longevity is not a measure of success; and an administrator's success should not be…

Reasons for conflict between college faculty and administrators are discussed, focusing on the differences in roles and authority structures, persistent daily interpersonal conflicts, unclear standards of judgment, different decision-making intentions, mutual lack of understanding of power status, and irritations common in the boss-employee…

College deans serve as both extensions of the presidency (through the provost) and extensions of the faculty. This puts them in situations confounded by ambiguity and role conflict. A discussion of the impact of this role conflict and ambiguity on deans, particularly the resulting high turnover and low productivity, suggests policy implications…

Findings of a study that examined the roles of business representatives and business educators in establishing collaborative relationships in the 1990s, as perceived by selected secondary and postsecondary business instructors in Illinois, are presented in this paper. An expert panel of 25 secondary and postsecondary instructors participated in…