The relevance of Machiavellian theories of political leadership to school administration is examined in this paper, with a focus on the superintendent/school board relationship. As the first modern political theorist, Machiavelli used empirical observation and generalization to understand that perceptions are more real in their consequences than…

This booklet is a guide to the planning process for members of governing boards of institutions of higher education. Generally, it sees the role of the board in planning as ensuring that planning takes place and insisting that plans are used regularly for decision making. The publication discusses the following five specific tasks related to this…

This booklet, intended for trustees of institutions of higher education, offers some instruction on the principles of risk management. Introductory information provides a definition of risk management, which is seen as a planning and strategic function, not solely as a financial or safety assessment. Individual sections then address the following…

The ongoing planning of school improvement in the Chicago Public Schools is examined in this paper. The Chicago School Reform Act required that principals consult with their local school councils (LSCs), staff, parents, and community members to develop a three-year school improvement plan (SIP). Data were derived from two studies: the first…

Local school councils (LSCs) constitute another type of involvement in the education arena. These councils' functions vary from providing advice to making comprehensive and controversial educational decisions that affect students and staff. This booklet provides background information on LSCs, points out their benefits and drawbacks, and raises…

Designed for new trustees at community colleges in the Illinois Community College System (ICCS), this handbook provides background information and an orientation to the responsibilities of members of community college boards of trustees. The booklet briefly covers the following topics: (1) historical and legislative background to the establishment…

The ways in which a Hispanic female superintendent led her school district toward stability and excellence are described in this report, with a focus on four elements that differentiate the work of urban school superintendents from that of others. Four years of data were collected through interviews with the superintendent, observations of group…

Research studies have shown that the benefits of student participation in cocurricular activities are substantial. However, many schools reward or punish student achievement and conduct by setting eligibility standards for participation in student activities. In such a system, educators view activities primarily as rewards for good behavior and…

Thirty-seven ways to communicate effectively with board members and superintendents regarding staff development are listed. Formal and informal methods for keeping them both informed and involved are suggested. (JH)

Superintendents and school boards need to implement rapidly new measures that will ensure full participation of the building principal in the district's management decision-making process. (Author)

Characteristics and practices of governing boards of colleges or systems and ways that administrators and faculty can work more effectively with trustees are considered. Attention is directed to: the history and evolution of lay trusteeship; the composition of the board and selection of trustees; responsibilities of the board; board structures and…

Designed to assist college trustees in the North Carolina community college system in carrying out their duties, this handbook contains information about the system, the functions and responsibilities of trustees, local and state budgets, and pertinent laws. First, introductory comments place the work of the trustee within the context of the…

Over 100 former board of education members from Oregon completed a questionnaire originally prepared by the "American School Board Journal" for the purpose of investigating why school board members leave their positions. This document presents the full results of the Oregon survey and also provides a summary of the findings and an…

In introducing a symposium on Kensington School (Missouri), an innovative elementary school in Milford School District, this paper discusses the origins of the restudy of Kensington 15 years after its creation and narrates the story of 2 key years in the district's history. The authors describe how a revisit to the district uncovered new…

Extracts are presented from the author's paper presented at the sixty-first North of England conference. The theme of the conference was partnership, with the author drawing implications from the Russell Report about the necessary partnerships to be formed in adult education. (Author/EA)