Provides an explanation of the notion of fit and the role it can play in the assessment of principals; examines a theoretical basis for the notion of fit; uses cases of principals who experienced problems to illustrate the multidimensional nature of fit; discusses fit and literature on role theory. (GLR)

Examines the ways that academic department chairs cope with the demanding and often contradictory roles they must assume. Discusses the challenge of allocating resources among faculty members and simultaneously maintaining collegiality. Presents data culled from interviews with 23 current and former department chairs. (MJP)

Management by spontaneity shuns job descriptions, supervisory duties, needs assessment, strategic planning, group process, and problem solving. Not for the fainthearted, MBS requires knowledge of psychology, lawyerly skills, and philosophic wisdom. MBS remains untested, as current job descriptions have confined authors to MBO and TQM. (MLH)

This article examines the roles of deputy principals (assistant principals, deputy heads) in secondary schools and thus contributes to an under-researched area often overlooked in discussions about school leadership. Typically, these discussions have focussed on the principalship alone. Data were collected from deputy principals in one large…

Despite the administrative leadership that most principals receive in university courses, their most useful learning doesn't occur until they are on the job. The new knowledge--much of it the result of trial and error, success and failure--is gained in relative isolation. This book focuses on the critical work of school principals, offering…

Rural schools present unique challenges for school administrators, challenges that require knowledge of various skills in a range of disciplines. This book touches nearly every aspect of rural school leadership. It aims to help educational leaders in small or rural schools better understand their role, and to help all educators learn elements of…

The superintendent's role may be difficult to manage simply because of the existence of a school board. To identify critical incidents that superintendents experienced in their work with boards of education, the superintendents of all 310 K-12 districts in Nebraska were mailed letters asking if they had experienced a critical incident with a…

The school business administration function in the operation of American schools has undergone dramatic changes during the past several years. Changing demographics, high technology, the movement to professionalize school administration, and changes by the legislative and judicial systems have all had significant impact on the character of school…

RACIAL STRIFE, POPULATION MOBILITY, CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT, URBAN DECAY, AND OTHER CURRENT ISSUES WHICH AFFECT THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESSES OF LARGE CITIES WERE DELINEATED IN A SEMINAR TO PROVIDE WORKABLE PROPOSALS, GREATER COMMUNICATION, AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WHO MUST DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS IN THEIR DAY-BY-DAY OPERATIONS.…

A new, validated survey instrument, SPEAR (Superintendents' Professional Expectations and Advancement Review), asked top executives about their opinions, skills, perceptions on a range of career concerns, and future interests. Of the nation's 13,500 school superintendents, a random sample of 2,979 was selected, segmented by district size. The…

This paper presents the results of a literature review on educational methodology reforms. The first section discusses five factors in broad-based school reforms: change theory; organizational theory; state/national politics; local politics/governance; and leadership theory. Five types of reforms for school-wide success are described in the second…

This article demonstrates how school administrators are discovering the use of multimedia as a vehicle for school public relations programs. It describes the effective use of electronic presentations as a method to persuade and influence a broad-based school constituency in gaining their commitment for support of a community-based school program.…

Describes the implementation of twinning (sharing administrative staff) in two Ontario elementary schools; the actions that the board of education undertook to monitor and assess the demonstration project; and a survey of parents and community members evaluating whether twinning was cost effective, improved program quality in the two schools, and…

Discusses the influence of the Boston University/Chelsea (Massachusetts) school system partnership on the school principal, on the ways that teachers plan and deliver instruction, and on children's opportunities to learn. Consistency, coordination, and a collaborative vision are seen as necessary to the partnership's continued success. (GR)

An international research project investigated the role of principals in developing and supporting information -literate school communities. Principals and teacher-librarians completed three surveys examining their perceptions/beliefs about their current and future roles, and views on such concerns as strengths and challenges of the school…