Outlines the duties of English department heads and what their areas of expertise ought to be. (Author/JM)

School administrators can work to develop leadership competencies in department heads, including the ability to encourage and assist fellow teachers. Suggestions for further reading are offered. (MJL)

The role of social studies chairmen, as revealed in a survey of more than 200 in the area covered by the North Central Association, is depicted. The writers conclude that chairmen can provide instructional leadership but that they need support and authority to initiate this leadership. (Editor)

Describes a way one principal involved teachers in the selection of a department head, by the appointment of a selection committee. (JM)

Presents a plan that extends current teaching practices through a strategy that increases teacher salaries without the use of merit pay. (MD)

Recent research shows that the department-head position represents an underutilized source of instructional leadership in secondary schools. To increase department-head participation, principals are advised to heed school tradition, follow employment policy guidelines, determine boundaries, consult involved staff, prepare job descriptions, provide…

Four specific areas of activity are necessary for school guidance leadership: program development, communications, organization and coordination, and supervision and evaluation. These areas are discussed and a sample job description for the guidance director is presented. (Author/WD)

Based on a study of change facilitation in eight high schools, this article debunks three common myths concerning administrative organization as an obstacle to managing high school change. Tentative guidelines are provided to help determined managers cure stagnation and thwart bureaucratic intransigency. (MLH)

Describes the development of ongoing, clearly defined, and structured problem-solving and shared decision-making machinery that has upgraded the role and importance of intermediate supervisors with concomitant benefits in their morale and their contributions to the school at large. (Author/IRT)

Includes a model evaluation form. (IRT)

Coaching occurs in many fields, including music, drama, and various sports activities. Building a "coaching" metaphor might help clarify differences in coaching roles that principals and teachers find confusing. Most head coaches recognize that responsible evaluation is more helpful than absolute power in helping each player be the best…

Describes a program that consists of a three-part cycle of activities, all of which involved the department chairmen working jointly with the principal on actual preobservation conferences as well as with actual classroom observations. (Author/MLF)

Presents a proposal for effective teacher supervision and evaluation that puts the responsibility for supervision on someone close to the teachers, while the responsibility for evaluation remains the principal's. Includes diagrams outlining supervision and evaluation procedures. (MD)

In New York City, the assistant principal for supervision is responsible for staff development and improvement of student outcomes in specific subject areas. High schools have four to eight such positions. These administrators teach one to three classes daily, depending on department size. They train teachers, develop curricula and testing…

The Mentor School System (Ohio) recreated the role of department coordinator in all its secondary schools to develop a cadre of instructional leaders to break down the barriers between administrators and the classroom. (MD)