During the next several years, nearly half of all U.S. principals will retire. Despite principals' crucial leadership role, the methods for training and selecting these administrators are often ill-suited for employing outstanding leaders. Patronage, favoritism, familiarity, or good impressions frequently prevail over merit. This bulletin begins…

Two articles address issues in the development of French and Spanish language programs in elementary schools: instructional materials and time and money factors. The information presented is drawn from experience in developing the Radford, Virginia FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) program. The first article describes some aspects…

A study compared children's literature which was both popular with children and had received literary awards to those works which achieved only literary awards. Seventeen works of fiction were analyzed and categorized for themes, style, and structure. One adult and one child were interviewed for each work and asked questions about their opinion…

Designed to complement the manual, "Evaluation of Educational Software: A Guide to Guides," which provides an overview of 10 different models of microcomputer courseware evaluation instruments, this 5-section workshop guide outlines an approach to using the evaluation materials in a hands-on workshop setting. Session notes, reproducible…

Recently, the concept of gender has been introduced as a possible influence on hiring bias. To examine the relationship between gender perception and bias in hiring, a two-part study was conducted. In the initial phase, 99 college students developed descriptions of applicants that reflected gender characteristics. In the second phase, 63 college…

This handbook has been developed to assist school districts in the adoption of textbooks. The criteria for establishing a textbook selection process are included, as well as selection criteria for specific subject areas. Procedural steps are initially outlined for preliminary activities, book examination procedure, and implementation, and then a…

This self-instructional manual presents basic information about computers and their capabilities in a series of lessons, each of which contains a list of learner objectives and a series of true-false self-check exercises. The lessons cover: (1) what a computer is and what it can do, and the reasons why computers are used; (2) computer types and…

In an attempt to integrate research on the impact of judicial selection and research on journalist-source interaction, a study considered the method by which judges are selected and retained and how this method influences the exchange relationship between sources and journalists in trial courts. Elected trial court judges in Minnesota and…

Principals perform many, varied instructional and managerial tasks. Steps in the selection process in a school division fall into four categories: developing policies; establishing a pool; formal selection procedures; and post-hiring activities. When selectors evaluate individual candidates for a position, they use one or more of five basic…

This document focuses on the factors surrounding the selection of superintendents of schools in New York State. Using responses from practicing superintendents, the structures and processes used to recruit these individuals are analyzed. Superintendents in 661 local school districts in New York State were surveyed in February 1988. Findings…

This paper evaluates the superintendent selection processes in over 500 local school districts in New York State. A survey of practicing superintendents, identified the following processes that school districts use to recruit their superintendents: board of education review only; assistance of university placement services; involvement of district…

Information on how to make an application for a Fulbright Award is presented to assist faculty members, young scholars, and women and minority group members who are often underrepresented in these scholarly opportunities. Ways to help applicants improve their chances of selection in a competitive process are identified. Every year, there are about…

Two American academicians critically examine the American system of administrator training and certification. Suggested are key features that Britain might usefully adopt and other areas where Britain might improve on the inflexibilities of United States' policies. This book suggests mandatory certification as a central part of the process. The…

This document is a workbook for preteens and teenagers between the ages of 11 and 15 that discusses relationships, dating, sexuality, and contraception. It focuses on building self-esteem and decision-making, encouraging teenagers to think through decisions they face about relationships and themselves. Workpages, which feature various types of…

The term "gold digger" is often applied to women and to the younger spouse in marriages with unconventional age diffferences. While this follows the view that women derive their class position from their husbands, the status gain or loss in age heterogamous studies has not been empirically tested. To examine status gain or loss in these marriages,…