The Shawnee Mission (Kansas) schools have set up an employee recognition system that has raised pride and staff morale. To serve the district's diverse 4,000-person staff, the "Celebrate Success" committee recommended that a staff magazine, an idea pool, a corporate identity, and an awards ceremony be created. (MLH)

A recent national study of senior high school principals shows that effective high school leaders often are high-flying risk takers. Risk-taking principals actively identify and solve problems--often urging groups and individuals to try new approaches rather than just talk about them. Fortunately, such principals are seldom out on the high wire…

There has been a sharp turnaround in the passing rate of students in Dade County, Florida, on a state-mandated test required for graduation from high school. The passing rate, which rose from 59% to 66%, is attributed to a countywide push to make students aware of the test's importance and create the best test-taking conditions possible. (MLH)

A program at Parsons High School in Kansas, helps at-risk students learn to set goals for themselves. Once the goals are written, students have a scorecard to follow their progress. (MLF)

The key to succeeding in superintendent-board relationships is fitting the school board into a three-part framework of policies, meetings, and goals. Advice is also provided concerning budgeting, becoming acquainted with board members, and handling disagreements. A sidebar classifies board members as builders, shopkeepers, mechanics, cheerleaders,…

Offers tips to help administrator job hunters hone their interviewing skills. Interviewees should know the setting, practice interviewing, use ingenuity in their preinterview research, prepare a concise portfolio, master the handshake, listen carefully, know the interview time frame, be positive, avoid creating distractions, ask questions, end on…

Prospective superintendents desiring successful interviews can improve their chances by getting to know the community, watching what they wear, arriving on time, paying attention to the all-important first impression, listening attentively, using jargon judiciously, positioning themselves well, and leaving a good impression. (MLH)

Offers new superintendents some practical survival strategies, including knowing the board, administrators, and union; understanding the power base and the power of administrator visibility; building good board meetings; and holding their families dear. (MLH)

Afterschool or latchkey programs provide professional care for youngsters while building confidence among students and parents. This article describes three program options: site-based, centralized, and outsider programs. Before proceeding, principals must discover parents' expectations, consider available facilities, obtain trained staff, and…

Successful superintendents recognize that taking charge is not a one-time event, but a two- or three-year process. Inspired by John J. Gabarro's May 1985 "Harvard Business Review" article, this article identifies five passages (taking hold, immersion, reshaping, consolidation, and refinement) that new superintendents must navigate…

This year's "Executive Educator"/Xavier University survey of 871 school executives examined competition in schools. A majority saw today's society as highly competitive. Most believed competition improves student performance, but disdained comparative district ratings, test scores as achievement indicators, and salary/test score…

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Incorporated, has distributed over 57 million books in its 18 years. RIF programs have raised children's interest in reading and their levels of reading achievement, and have increased library use and parent involvement. The national RIF organization offers several forms of support for local programs. (PGD)

A veteran superintendent outlines an eight-step method for achieving success, including assessing the situation, avoiding board overload, coping with stress, deemphasizing egoism, learning to live in the gray zone between policy formation and administration, ensuring effective board decisions, identifying prospective board members, and knowing…

Presents a brief history of women in school administration. Reports on a survey of and interviews with women superintendents on such topics as personal backgrounds, career paths, factors contributing to success, advice to other women administrators, and sex bias in education. (IW)

A superintendent reviews five steps for developing and implementing "effective schools" projects. (MD)