The human side of school reform and the difficulties of implementing innovation are examined in this book. The book suggests that one of the main reason efforts to reform schools stall is that educators resist change because they feel burdened or conflicted by the process. The book, therefore, focuses on realistic expectations concerning the pace…

Reviews of relevant research on the application of operations research and statistics that appeared prior to 1980 are compared with those appearing in the early 1980s. In summary, both explicit and implicit users of mathematics in educational administration see it as a tool that essentially brings order and generalizability to administrative data.…

Monroe Community College (MCC) has been involved in strategic planning over the last 4 years. The following lessons have been drawn from these 4 years of experience: (1) all plans need to be seen as temporary; (2) no plan drawn up in the planner's office could be implemented if it ignored the fleeting, ambiguous nature of the college's and…

This opinion paper concentrates on changes in instruction and educational philosophy necessary if urban schools are to become more effective. Learning principles for these schools should be the following: (1) teachers should assist students in developing and maintaining interest; (2) learning experiences should be meaningful; (3) students must…

This booklet reviews decision-making, an important part of administrative processes, from the perspective of school teachers and other educators. The two most commonly used processes are the rational decision-making process (identify the problem, evaluate the problem, collect information, identify alternative solutions, select and implement…

Instructional supervision, despite the lack of evidence for its value, can potentially help improve instruction and promote educators' professional growth. To realize this potential, schools should analyze their supervisory practice according to these four premises: (1) that each school district and each school has unique organizational…

The concept of the quality circle (QC) is outlined and a brief history given of its use in Japan and eventual migration to the United States in 1974. The leaders and participants in QC's are trained in communication and problem-solving skills. The essential techniques used in the QC are brainstorming, consensus, cause and effect analysis, data…

Educators have shown great interest in teaching thinking in the last five years. This overview introduces thinking skills instruction as the theme of this issue of "Educational Leadership" and distinguishes three different approaches: teaching for thinking, teaching about thinking, and teaching of thinking. (TE)

Complex institutional problems require comprehensive and complex solutions, including such strategies as defining or redefining institutional mission, finding a market niche, planning, cutting costs and increasing income, structural change, enterprising leadership, and using existing assets and good luck to best advantage. (MSE)

Two catalogs produced at the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development describe programs and practices used by elementary and secondary level building administrators to handle common problems of instructional management. Addresses and phone numbers of principals whose practices are cited are provided to encourage information…

A clearinghouse specializing in providing tax-sheltered annuity services for school employees eliminates any question of school district liability for investment performance. (MLF)

This work, commissioned by the Presidents Academy of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), presents a variety of case studies illustrating the types of sensitive situations in which community college presidents may find themselves and offers advice on how best to prepare for and resolve such situations. It addresses some of the…

Describes laboratory-oriented software programs that are short, time-saving, eliminate computational errors, and not found in public domain courseware. Program availability for IBM and Apple microcomputers is included. (RT)

Explains the need, general guidelines, expectations, and advantages of student involvement in research at the undergraduate level. Lists selected research projects conducted by students at Burlington County College. (RT)

Reviews the constraints on implementing an issue-centered approach to social studies education and argues that schools play an important role in socializing students into society. Concludes that advocates of new theories of social studies education must take into account the realities of contemporary school and society. (SLM)