This book reports on three studies of organizational renewal conducted in eight elementary schools--four of which ranked high in organizational renewal and four of which ranked low. Examining the schools as a social system, the book deals with the theoretical context of institutional renewal in general and summarizes several empirical studies…

Results of a study on the school psychologists' role indicated that principals endorsed their psychometric function while teachers were unsure of the most desirable functions of school psychologists. Implications of these findings, which support previous research, are discussed briefly. (MH)

Principals who survive can ride the rapids of unexpected events. To succeed, new principals must establish trust among staff, deal with staff perceptions of the principal as chief decision maker, recognize cultural differences among schools, and discover opportunities for change. Above all, principals must giver teachers permission to be critical…

Summarizes a 1992 Wisconsin study exploring relationships among principals' leadership styles, gender, and personality attributes and principals' and teachers' work satisfaction. None of these variables predicted work satisfaction; teachers and principals had different perceptions of leadership. Schools should hire more female administrators and…

Consistent with educational reform efforts, this study examines traditional roles of teacher educators, university researchers, and public school personnel and addresses the following questions: (1) What role can the university play as change is initiated within public schools? (2) In order to create a culture for change, how must the traditional…

A SIXTH AND FINAL PHASE OF A NATIONAL PRINCIPALSHIP STUDY, BASED ON DATA OBTAINED FROM 382 MALE PRINCIPALS IN 41 LARGE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WAS DESIGNED TO EVALUATE THE LEVEL OF OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATION (LOA) OF MALE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, DEFINED AS THEIR DESIRE TO ATTAIN HIGHER LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS IN SCHOOL SYSTEMS. THE STUDY AIMED…

This paper discusses an area of potential research dealing with the role of the school principal as change agent in the school desegregation process. The principal is a key figure in the success or failure of school desegregation. He or she holds the middle position between the school and larger community forces. His position affords him a broader…

This study was designed to determine whether a difference in the way teachers have organized as a professional group in relation to the school administration and the local board of education influences teacher role perception and preference for leadership styles. Variables of age, sex, teaching experience, and teaching level were examined. The…

Although a large number of studies on supervision have been redundant, some important empirical knowledge has been gained from research in this area. Gwaltney, Andburg, Blumberg, Weber and Amidon, and Marquit have studied the differing perceptions of supervisory behavior by teachers, supervisors, and administrators. Gross and Herriot and later…

Describes the process of negotiating a contract between school counselors and principals which defines role expectations. Suggests the contract can guide school counselors' job performance, create a harmonious relationship, and improve organizational effectiveness. (JAC)

Describes practices, thoughts, and feelings of exemplary, shared-governance principals at nine schools affiliated with Glickman's League of Professional Schools in Georgia, using open-ended interviews. Findings showed that implementing shared governance incorporates five salient themes: meanings, involvement of others, redistribution of power,…

A survey examined perceptions among superintendents, principals, and special education administrators concerning the role of the special education administrator in West Virginia school systems. All 55 county school superintendents, all 55 district-level special education administrators, and 150 public school principals were sent a survey…

Earlier research by the Concerns-Based Adoption Model Project at the Austin campus of the University of Texas has identified seven "Stages of Concern" that teachers and other front line users of classroom innovations could have. This study examines, first, whether principals have the same or similar stages of concern about their change…

The project described in this article was intended to assess needed competencies in community education administration by fulfilling two primary objectives. First, role descriptions were to be identified in terms of task areas, competencies, and competency indicators for each of four administrative roles: superintendent, district coordinator,…

This study examined selected aspects of the exercise of influence in educational organizations. Power motivation, characteristics of the exercise of influence, and influence effectiveness were studied. A sample of elementary school principals indicated their perceptions and behavioral intentions relevant to the exercise of upward influence in…