This Summer 2013 issue of "Voices in Urban Education" presents an interview with Lucy Keaton, appointed in February 2013 as the first assistant superintendent for the English Language Learner program at the Clark County (Nevada) School District (CCSD), which includes Las Vegas and contains more than half of Nevada's public schools. The…

Recent Illinois legislation requires school principals in the state to be qualified to provide school leadership for children from preschool to grade twelve instead of kindergarten to grade twelve. Illinois is the first state to make such a change and may well serve as a model for change in school leadership preparation on a national level. The…

Jargon associated with mentoring can be confusing. Is a new leader involved in induction, being mentored, or experiencing coaching? Induction is meant to familiarize a new employee with the details and scope of job responsibilities, while mentoring and coaching are directed at skill development. Elementary and secondary principals rate mentoring…

The need for educational administrators at all levels has been the subject of much attention for many years now. The shortage seems evident. The numbers of qualified applicants for principal and superintendent vacancies seems at an all time low according to local personnel departments and human resource officers. Where there previously had been 20…

This article takes issue with recent proposals to eliminate teaching experience as a requirement for principal certification. A principal relies on teaching experience in five areas: (1) employing teachers; (2) supervising instruction; (3) leading and managing teachers; (4) understanding and working with students; and (5) conferring with parents.…

A principal of a rural Vermont school describes the unexpected incidents that led to his tongue-in-cheek conclusion that certification for rural principals ought to include courses in mechanics, nature, and people. (JM)

Explores reasons for the reluctance of qualified people to assume principalships, e.g., lack of confidence because of unfamiliarity with leadership skills and fear of the responsibilities involved. Sees self-knowledge, openness, unlimited liability for the school community, patience, and overall vision as qualifications for leadership. (DMM)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of, and alternatives to, the dual principalship, in which one principal runs two schools. Notes the heavy strain experienced by dual principals and the ways they ease the workload, lists qualifications for dual principals, and offers four tips to help make a dual principalship work. (RW)

A sample of 472 superintendents in New York State participated in this study, which examined the presence of sex discrimination in the selection of secondary school principals. The superintendents were asked to rate a hypothetical applicant resume that included credentials and a photograph. A hypothetical job description of a secondary school…

Discussion of the relationship between school librarians and principals covers budget, use of the library for other purposes, and involvement in school activities. The qualifications of a school librarian for the position of principal are also considered. (MES)

Selection of educational leaders in the United States typically involves four decision points controlled by three types of institutions: admission to and graduation from a principal preparation program controlled by an institution of higher education, certification controlled by the state, and employment controlled by a local school district.…

Describes a survey of 107 Ohio Catholic elementary school principals to investigate reasons for selecting the profession, assess their graduate school preparation, and identify skills they brought to the position. Love for children was the primary reason for entering education, while the majority became principals at the religious community's…

Women who wish to consider the principalship as a career are offered advice based on observations gleaned from a survey of 65 percent of all women secondary school administrators. A checklist is supplied to help interested women understand the job requirements and their own feelings, attitudes, and abilities. (MLF)

Summarizes educational research regarding principal's role in reading program success/failure. Concludes that principals' function should be improving teacher instruction techniques; principals must regard reading programs as important, teachers and principals must share mutual concern/ cooperation; licensing agencies must require administrator…

The success of high schools depends on the principals. High school principals should concentrate on their schools, use their assistants efficiently, and inspire school pride. According to previous research, the major elements of effective schools include high expectations for practitioners and students, parent involvement, administrative…