During the 1980s educational administration preparation programs were criticized as being irrelevant to professional administrative life. In response to this criticism, the University Council for Educational Administration reviewed preparation programs in a report entitled "Leader's for America's Schools." The review found that there was a need to define educational leadership, recruit promising candidates for educational leadership, develop collaborative relationships with school district leaders, encourage minorities and women to enter the field, and make programs more current and clinical. In 1987, the Danforth Program for the Preparation of School Principals (DPPSP) began a study of five university administration preparation programs. It found that to improve the programs there must be a readiness for change, leadership, and partnerships between key participants. Many preparation programs are reassessing their admissions standards with more emphasis on leadership potential. The academic element of preparation programs also is changing to better prepare candidates for administrative roles. Internships, field experiences, and use of cohorts were identified as important to successful preparation programs. Lessons for other preparation programs include utilizing practitioner-scholars, revising tenure criteria, reducing workloads, and providing support personnel. Additional funds, long-term university support, and shared burden are all required for a successful preparation program. (JPT)