Given the critical impact of their decisions and of the community's perception of their performance, it is reasonable that school superintendents would seek to understand the factors that influence their decisions and the processes used to make them. The researcher in this study used a qualitative approach, interviewing 13 school superintendents…

The purpose of this study was to examine the way in which school boards use data when making decisions, specifically their orientations, perceptions, concerns and priorities around data. This study sought to understand how school boards use data when setting or tracking progress toward goals and aimed following the process of board use of data to…

Despite the importance of teachers and the fact that teacher hiring is decentralized in most school districts, we know relatively little about the process through which individual principals hire faculty for their schools. Using interviews with 31 Chicago principals, we explore how principals find job candidates, whether they collaborate with…

Research increasingly points to the negative impacts of teacher absence from school on access to schooling and success in learning in schools, in particular in schools in areas of multiple-deprivation (including rural schools). South African schools are no exception. In this regard, like any other employer, the South African Department of Basic…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Alberta's Principal Quality Practice Standard as a framework for the roles and responsibilities of school principals. Methodology: Three principals participated in the study, and each principal had more than 25 years of teaching and school administration experience. Each principal…

This report is based on interviews of 18 school superintendents who demonstrate the quality know as resilience. The 14 men and 4 women averaged 17 years as superintendent, serving 3 rural, 13 suburban, and 2 urban school districts. It was found that resilient superintendents deal with challenges in positive ways. They do not dwell on the negative…

Offers ten tips intended to help administrators make decisions and resolve conflicts. (Author/JM)

This paper defines and discuss a number of basic concepts relevant to educational administration that form the basis for the Educational Management Project, a comprehensive inservice program for educational administrators that was developed by the Tucson Public Schools. Major topics discussed include educational management, the difference between…

How do principals establish themselves as caring and collaborative leaders while maintaining unilateral authority? This guide reconciles the competing priorities inherent in a principal's day-to-day responsibilities. Not only will it assist new and veteran principals in their efforts to compassionately position teachers and children for success,…

This booklet briefly outlines the cyclical process of ongoing planning as it should be employed by school administrators and offers lists of do's and don'ts for effective ongoing planning. The discussion is organized in three main sections that correspond to the main stages of the program planning cycle--program monitoring, program evaluation, and…

This publication is intended to aid practicing educators in reviewing and utilizing current principles of problem-solving and decision-making. The booklet is organized in five short sections that briefly discuss different aspects of organizational problem-solving and outline suggested steps to guide educators in applying problem-solving techniques…

This paper unites theory and practice in examining the concept of "theory in practice." It contends that good administrators are theoretical about their work and that they construct categories using common, essential characteristics across similar situations so that few situations are viewed as unique. Two school superintendents were interviewed…

Few administrators fail to become leaders because they lack technical skills. The problem is lack of people skills and inability to exercise good judgment. Administrators can minimize failure by valuing honesty, objectivity, delegation, and feedback and by respecting chain of command and the limitations of power. Other potential pitfalls are…

Study of 16 principals in Chicago, Illinois, reveals that in the investigation of ethical-choice behavior, the corporate-incentives model proves to be inadequate as an explanation of principality. What is referred to as counter-bureaucratic behavior is a survival mechanism for beleaguered principals--a balance weight to seemingly anti-educational…

A study examined legal and ethical considerations used by school administrators in decision making. A national survey of 306 elementary and secondary principals and district superintendents yielded 226 responses. The survey instrument examined administrators' ability to make ethical and legal decisions and described their reported decision-making…