Based on data from three successive surveys, this article examines whether principals of small secondary schools perceive their roles differently differ from those administering larger schools. Although results are inconclusive, a significant decrease was reported in the number of principals reporting major scheduling problems, reliance on fund…

Administrator evaluators perceive principals' leadership styles variously as principal/teacher, general manager, professional/scientific manager, administrator/instructional leader, and curriculum leader. Currently practice promotes the administrator/instructional leader view of principals (for principals one knows) and denigrates the general…

According to "Information Power" (1988), the school library media specialist plays three roles: information specialist, teacher, and instructional consultant. As instructional consultant, the media specialist works with teachers to help them maximize their use of available professional resources to aid student learning. Tips for…

As shown by a survey of three middle-level assistant principals, student discipline consumes an inordinate amount of attention. Also, participants did not see their position as an avenue to help youngsters. Since school administration duties should be shared, assistant principals must shed their "noneducational,""daily operations…

This study attempts to present, evaluate and explain available data relative to the determination of differences in role-definition between principals and counselors. The author addresses his study to the question--to what extent is the viability of the guidance program in schools affected by role-definition and comprehension, and communication…

Questionnaires asking principals, teachers, and superintendents to rank-order items dealing with the principal's actual and ideal role were sent to 105 school jurisdictions in Ontario, Canada. Findings indicated teachers and superintendents view the principal's role differently, while the principal view of his role is most like that of the…

A survey of 77 Missouri high school principals revealed a traditional view of the school librarian as one who purchases, processes, and circulates books and provides occasional reference services. Skills indicating involvement with the instructional process rated average in importance. Principals did not view library media specialists as teachers.…

Summarizes a study to determine the job skills needed by beginning U.S. principals. Data were collected from both practicing and aspiring principals. The two groups disclosed major perceptual differences. Whereas aspiring administrators believe that demonstrating technical skills is most important, their experienced colleagues believe it is more…

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…

Documents results of an interpretive study on process of principal thinking, as both researcher and principal engaged in Shon's notion of reflective coaching. Principal change means switching from a judgmental to a more collaborative role. The study shows that metaphors can be a powerful reflective tool to help principals conceptualize their roles…

Explores the primary deputy head's role, focusing on the deputy/head interrelationship, based on interviews with administrators of 10 (British) primary schools. Identifies factors influencing this interrelationship, highlighting partner similarities and the use of complementarity, compensation, tolerance, acceptance, and accommodation to handle…

The loss of pedagogic motive among contemporary educators is a matter for concern. This article explores the twin issues of motives and intentions, with particular reference to one high school principal who describes his work in exclusively managerial terms. This language (and a persistently managerial-administrative ethic) may be inappropriate…

The roles and attitudes of public school administrators change as their schools become involved in the Accelerated School project. Traditional definitions of a principal's role--setting goals, leadership, decision making, improvement of teaching and learning, instructional management, staff supervisor, and home-school-community relations--are…

This monograph consists of 12 short articles written by students enrolled in a basic course in elementary school administration at Indiana State University. The monograph is intended to provide some insight as to what future elementary administrators believe is important in administering an elementary school. Each article focuses on a slightly…

This study was designed to investigate how black principals perceived the professional image which they have projected since the desegregation of the public schools, their own experiences with displacement subsequent to desegregation, and their perceptions of the effects of displacement. (Author/AM)