GREENBURGH DISTRICT 8 IS LOCATED 25 MILES NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, WITH A POPULATION OF 12,000, 2,500 ARE SCHOOL PUPILS. RACIAL POPULATION IS 35 PERCENT NEGRO, 65 PERCENT WHITE. A WIDE RANGE OF RELIGIONS, NATIONALITIES, EDUCATIONAL LEVELS, AND ECONOMIC LEVELS IS EVIDENT IN THE COMMUNITY. THE FIRST NEGRO MEMBER OF A SCHOOL…

Describes the success of an experienced middle school teacher in balancing her professional and personal values with organizational obligations and responsibilites to students. Encourages administrators to support teachers in the construction, evaluation, and revision of the classroom curriculum and to provide more collegial exchange opportunities…

Identifies two major administrative problems: (1) schools need instructional leadership, but management tasks take most of a principal's time, and (2) teachers want professional development leadership to come from within their own ranks. Examines myths and realities of the principal's role and describes master teacher leadership structures already…

Observations and questionnaires were used to explore attitudes and behaviors of school staff that might influence student behavior differentially in secondary schools with high and low suspension rates. Students, teachers, and administrators in low suspension schools all judged school climate more positively than did their counterparts in high…

Compares responses of teachers participating in curriculum committees at societal and institutional levels of educational system. Differences found in teachers' motivations to join committees and in satisfactions or dissatisfactions they derived from participation. Suggests that curriculum development changes as it becomes farther removed from…

This article reports perceptions of a first-year teacher of students with learning disabilities. First-year challenges are described, as well as views on assessment, accountability, and inclusion. Recommendations are made for new teachers and steps that teacher educators, school administrators, and experienced teachers can take to ensure the…

College faculty, administrators, and trustees must abandon the posture of blame and advance to shared responsibility. But they must confront two uncomfortable truths: some academics may not be able to sever self-interest in order to develop a new strategic vision, and trustees and public officials may be unwilling to examine expensive programs…

Notes that relationships between parents, administrators, and teachers are essential to quality early childhood education. Examines the role of good communication skills in building positive home-school relationships. Discusses the importance of developing effective listening skills in order to understand parents' needs and concerns, and how the…

In Hawaii, state agencies and foundations are poised to support readiness efforts to improve educational outcomes for children. Developing a shared understanding of the construct of readiness is key to these efforts. The purposes of this research were to (a) discover the perceptions and beliefs held by Hawaii parents, teachers and administrators…

The current and desired role of local vocational directors (LVDs) in North Carolina was assessed through a survey of superintendents, principals, vocational teachers, and LVDs. A literature review indicated differences in various groups' perceptions regarding the actual and ideal role of LVDs. The instrument required respondents to reply 2 times…

This paper reports on a: (1) review of recent literature on the principal's role in the implementation of educational reform, and (2) study of teacher perceptions of the role of the principal in the implementation of recent Texas reform legislation. Research on societal and organizational change shows that the inevitability of change should be a…

Previous research shows that successful schools have competent principals. In the Upper Cumberland Development District of Tennessee, 350 teachers and 350 parents were surveyed concerning the capability of principals in the district's most efficient schools. Eighty-four percent of the teachers and 78 percent of the parents completed the…

The development of a merit pay system in effect since 1953 in a suburban school district is discussed in light of district records and interviews with administrators and teachers. A key element of the system is a standing committee for evaluation of the program, consisting of the superintendent, teacher-elected representatives, and one…

As part of an ongoing three-year investigation into the effects of declining enrollment and reduction in force (RIF) on teachers, this paper explores: (1) teacher acceptance of exclusive administrative control over performance evaluations, and (2) teacher preferences for colleague input into the evaluation process. A sample of 85 schools was drawn…

This study investigated the ideal and actual criteria for selecting school superintendents as perceived by senior high school teachers and students, parents, administrators, and school board members. Its purpose was to determine if the ideal and actual criteria for selecting urban school superintendents would differ significantly as perceived (1)…