A description is given of South Carolina's principal apprenticeship program to train future administrators. The program focuses on two key elements: a set of field-based experiences planned to meet the specific needs of the apprentice, and a one-to-one mentor-apprentice relationship. Apprentices receive experiences in seven areas: (1) curriculum…

Beginning with an historical description of the development of the principalship, this monograph gives a comprehensive analysis of both current and evolving training programs for principals. Given particular attention are field-based training programs and administrative internships, particulary the National Association of Secondary School…

Summarizes a 1993 year-long study of six beginning school administrators's career-transition experiences. Based on data gathered through interviews with these administrators and the author's own experience, this article offers recommendations for new principals and assistant principals covering three professional-development areas: academic…

In 1985 the Kentucky General Assembly passed a comprehensive educational reform package including provisions for the Kentucky Beginning Principal's Intern Program (KBPIP). Evaluating the KBPIP involved three phases: identification of research goals, objectives, and data collection instruments; collection of data from participants; and…

Clinical education is learning in a field setting where the emphasis is on knowledge application, feedback, appraisal, and reapplication. Mid-career administrators can improve management, communication, and political skills in clinical settings where close observation of performance, judgments about performance, and prescriptions for improvement…

Proceedings from a symposium that shared information on the University of Utah's field-oriented doctoral educational administration program are presented in this paper. The sequential preparation program is based on the following multiple perspectives: a theory-practice relationship; field assignments conducted at multiple organizational levels;…

An investigation sought to ascertain the characteristics of preservice administrator graduates of the New York State Department of Educational Leadership and Administration (DELA) master's degree and professional diploma programs on the bases of their demographic traits, their career status and expectations, and their perceptions of their program…

If educational administration preparation programs are to become more effective, basic premises need changing. Behavioral and social science knowledge must be deliberately included in the design, structure, and utilization of training programs drawing on the theoretical and empirical literature of socialization of adults in complex organizations.…

An innovative administrator preparation program based on guidelines established by national boards and commissions is described in this paper. The California State University, Fresno, administrator education curriculum was reorganized by faculty and an advisory committee of 11 superintendents to meet the needs of local school districts. The…

Findings of a study that examined the effect of participation in Danforth Foundation-sponsored principal training programs on participants' perceptions of leadership and administrative behaviors are presented in this paper. The field-based program aims to increase minority representation in educational leadership. Interviews, on-site observation,…

The value of field experience in administrator preparation programs is assessed in this paper, which examines commonly held beliefs about field experience. The following values of field experience--that it assesses career commitment, refines school goals, provides practice in real settings, and develops personal and professional competence--are…

This paper presents a proposal for an alternative principal-certification program, which is to be operated by Tarleton State University (Texas) in collaboration with 10 independent Texas school districts, 4 regional educational service centers, 2 professional associations, and 1 foundation. The New Century Educational Leadership Program (NCELP) is…

Employment patterns for educational administrators in southeastern Kentucky are shaped by the impending retirements of a large proportion of educational personnel; the changing nature of the principalship; shallow candidate pools for elementary and secondary principalships; and increased collaboration between elementary-secondary schools and…

Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) School Leadership Project has adopted as a central educational strategy, problem based learning and its sub-model, problems of practice, in its program to prepare school leaders. Problems of practice is an active learning model that involves students in taking responsibility for their learning by immersing…