Discusses why the principal's position in the school system in general and within teachers' organizations in particular is, at present, hazy and in urgent need of reappraisal. (NEC)

Suggests resources and practices that elementary school principals can use to help them fulfill their roles in successful reading programs. (RL)

Exploring the complexities of the trustee-president authority relationship, 60 college and university presidents and 61 board chairmen were surveyed on their relations with their opposite members. Ten board chairmen and 10 presidents were then personally interviewed. Personal relations emerged as the most important aspect of the trustee-president…

A discussion of school politics: the techniques educators use to advance their interests with their peers and with the community. (SJL)

Profile of Paul Vallas, superintendent of the Philadelphia public school system. Vallas is credited with turning around the Chicago public school system during his tenure as superintendent from 1995 to 2001. He is known as a nontraditional superintendent, a tireless worker, and firm believer in accountability. (WFA)

Discusses the role of the president of the board of education. Emphasizes leadership functions, the need to balance community attitudes and expectations with state and Federal mandates, and the relationship between the board, the community, and the media. (FMW)

Discusses the need for and qualifications of a long-range planning coordinator for school districts. Suggests performance responsibilities of a long-range planning coordinator. (MS)

Structure is the key to an effective crisis management plan. A crisis plan has to be simple, concise, and flexible. Presents 10 steps to create a crisis plan for school systems. (MLF)

Finds that (1) Tennessee elementary school principals are significantly more involved in the management and evaluation of the reading program than in its operation or planning; (2) female principals are more involved than male principals; and (3) principals' involvement in the total reading program is positively related to increased training in…

In "Thriving on Chaos," author Tom Peters suggests that future managers will need the quick reactions of video game players. Patient observation may work better. Chaos theory teaches that random happenings cannot be controlled; the toughest, randomly caused problems have no solutions; a leader's vision or moral code cannot be imposed on…

The Pyramid, Railroad, and High Performance theories of leadership are inappropriate for school settings. At root, school leadership is about connecting people morally to each other and to their work. The work of leadership involves developing shared purposes, beliefs, values, and conceptions associated with teaching and learning,…

Examines the role of a building administrator in helping staff cope with change. Various phobias are described and appropriate treatments considered, including a fear of change, fear of computers, fear of technology, fear of electronic open spaces, fear of vendors and other noneducators, and fear of new learning methods. (four references) (LRW)

Explores a British secondary school's 8-year involvement with the Improving the Quality of Education for All reform initiative, comparing three leadership models. Transactional and transformational leadership models are limited in long-term improvement efforts. Leadership themes based on values, shared leadership contexts, and capacity creation…

Central office administrators' key roles in middle-level school reform include capturing and communicating a vision for change; providing consistent, high-quality professional development for teachers, principals, and parents; and directing an ongoing communication or public relations program. A sidebar lists 12 conditions for running effective…

Argues that secondary and post secondary academic department chairs are both managers and leaders whose real work is to manage conversational inquiry that engages others in creating possibilities, breakthroughs, and a sustainable future for their common enterprise. Describes leadership capabilities demanded by this work; well-honed communication…