Locally controlled public schools are one of the cornerstones of our nation's democracy, yet many schools are not preparing students for success. Far too many students are not graduating, and many of those who do graduate are woefully unprepared for college or a meaningful career. Successfully initiating and sustaining meaningful improvements in…

The relationship between the superintendent and board of education has a significant impact on the quality of a district's educational program. This conceptual paper explores the implications of three distinct trends for that relationship: (1) changing demographics; (2) changes brought about by school reform; and (3) changes in superintendents…

A new study of principals in Pennsylvania confirms earlier research findings that principals' participation in a formally defined process for determining their wages and benefits consistently enhances organizational climate and improves principal performance. (JW)

Employee turnover contributes to lost production, disrupts normal business practices, and is expensive. This literature review examines turnover of three administrator positions: the school superintendent, the executive director of nonprofit agencies, and the chief executive officer of for-profit corporations. The most cited reason for turnover of…

The author asserts that an important portion of an administrator's work is that of "problem finding." A case study and discussion of the relevant literature provide a definition of problem finding and its importance in understanding the work behavior of school administrators. (Author/MLF)

Findings from "Getting There from Here," a yearlong study of effective school leadership in 10 districts in 5 states, identify some of the problems that get in the way of effective school leadership. Offers nine practices that boards and superintendents can use to work together to achieve district goals. (MLF)

Based on doctoral research on the possible relationship between board involvement in contract talks and increased labor strikes, advises school boards to avoid involvement in contract negotiations. (MLF)

Reviews 50 years of superintendency literature. Offers a possible reconciliation of the superintendency by juxtaposing the traditional with ideas from feminist and postmodern literature. Recognizing postmodern paradoxes allows questioning of the traditional superintendency and leads to more caring, socially committed leadership strategies.…

A review of the literature on the functions and responsibilities of the board of trustees in nonprofit organizations shows the following as major areas of responsibility: (1) determinatlon of agency policy and assumption of the ongoing role of monitoring performance against established policies; (2) allocation of the organization's resources,…

Conflict between school board members and superintndents that impacts the school district climate is discussed in this overview of related research. A review of recent studies points to a national trend in increased administrator turnover, strained administrator-school board relations, and a shrinking pool of job applicants. A conclusion is that…

The extent of agreement expressed by college presidents and governing board chairpersons concerning the relative importance of 20 selected presidential roles was assessed. The variables of institution size and type were also examined as they related to perceived presidential role importance. Based on role theory, attention was directed to whether…

The rapid turnover in urban superintendencies reflects changes in big-city school boards that are increasingly characterized as political rather than as public service positions. In addition, the expectation that urban superintendents should find solutions for complex issues and the urban boards' desire for a person of color have resulted in fewer…

This paper presents the findings of a single case study of a particular board of education's decision-making process in a crisis situation, and explores interpretation of those findings from two theoretical perspectives. The crisis resulted from the charges against and conviction of the superintendent for a sexual assault on a 17-year-old female…

Reviews the importance, role, and responsibilities of boards of education for newly elected board members. Emphasizes communication between the community and the board and school administrators and the board. Outlines the qualities of successful board members. (FMW)

Working from the basic assumption that the primary motivation for those involved in school governance is self-interest, this paper develops and discusses 15 hypotheses that form the essential elements of an economic theory of school governance. The paper opens with a review of previous theories of governance and their origins in social science…