Suggests a two-year period of self-imposed restraint by the California Legislature during which they neither propose nor vote for any measure which seeks to improve the schools. This move would give principals a breather and enable them to gather their resources for any new innovations. Also discusses the Ad Hoc Legislative Task Force's efforts to…

Provides a framework for studying educational operations and presents Parsons' schema for understanding organization as an outline for educational administration content. Outlines topics included under educational operations, with attention to functions associated with central schooling functions (teaching and learning). Includes 17 references.…

An Illinos study showed that elementary school principals spent only 11 percent of their time on instructional leadership activities. A typical principal's day was characterized by multiple managerial tasks and diverse functions, including clerical, budgetary, and other generalist tasks. To convert principals into instructional leaders would…

Suggests 30 strategies a secondary school principal can follow for (1) improving rapport with parents, students, subordinates, superiors, and community representatives; (2) enhancing his or her own image and that of the school; and (3) ensuring the smooth administrative functioning of the school. (PGD)

Presents field study research focused on (1) the socialization processes that the assistant principal undergoes as an aspiring administrator and (2) the processes that make an assistant principal effective and mobile within the organizational structure. Reports that roles and tasks are often poorly defined and that assessments of job performance…

Presents 12 managerial maxims to help the harried administrator balance institutional demands and human needs. The administrator should focus on the product (educating children), understand the limitations of meetings, and recognize the importance of vision, risk-taking, planning, motivation, image and personal appearance, competence, innovation,…

Faculty members who move into administration want to: (1) survive; (2) administer well; and (3) make a positive impact on the department or college. Tips for succeeding in each of these areas are provided. (JN)

Author is chairman of the philosophy department at DePauw University. (SP)

Principals are offered suggestions for building a positive reputation among students and parents, including eating lunch and participating in sports with students, developing activities to reward successes, being visible, involving students in helping at school, encouraging student visits for positive reasons, learning their names, and getting…

Researchers on the job of principal have discussed the increasing complex nature of educational leadership. Some have even suggested why the principal's position is one that fewer and fewer teachers seek to fill (Fenwick, 2000). A recent report (Rayfield, 2002) suggests that the job of a principal is complex and difficult, and many duties of the…

School leaders carry great responsibility when a crisis occurs. Understanding the significance and use of school crisis teams is vitally important and often unknowingly overlooked. This article examines the crucial role of school leaders when a crisis event occurs. Through combining existing research, case vignettes of actual events, and…

This paper offers a review of selected leadership research, with a focus on the evolution of educational leadership research and the theories, methods, and perceptions that have guided this research. The analysis shows how there has been a shift from a person-focused, rational, simplistic view of leadership to a process-focused, more complex…

Article investigated what administrators do and attempted to shed some light on the nature of the school as an organization. (Author/RK)

This annotated bibliography presents 24 articles and documents from the ERIC system. The sources cited discuss leadership in relation to personal qualities, behavior theories, organizational influence, and changing administrator roles. (DW)