This discussion focuses on a research project designed to identify critical leadership behaviors and characteristics of very successful elementary school principals. The project which ultimately became a book published jointly by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and Corwin Press used research methodology inspired by…

Background: Despite access for women administrators in educational leadership departments, the longevity of their service within them is tenuous. Women administrators are caught in the social constructions of gender and leadership. Purpose: To explore how some women administrators in educational leadership programs have sustained their…

This research brief presents results of George B. Vaughan and Iris Weisman's 2006 Career and Lifestyle Survey (CLS) of community college presidents. Data from four previous CLS studies, conducted in 1984, 1991, 1996, and 2001, are included to indicate trends over time (Vaughan, 1986; Vaughan, Mellander, & Blois, 1994; Vaughan & Weisman, 1998;…

This study explores concepts of learning used by leaders, focusing on learning for leadership through day-to-day workplace experiences. The participants were drawn from the senior management team within a school, the chair of governors of the school and the local authority school improvement advisor. Concept mapping was used as a participatory…

School district administrator openings are occurring across Texas and many other states at an increasing rate. The high rate of turnover in the superintendency has become a national problem. Texas was chosen for the study due to the total number of school districts in the state and the high percent of rural districts. The other selected states,…

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of Texas Public School superintendents and school board presidents on the importance of leadership characteristics of the superintendency. The questionnaire used in this study was developed by Dr. Douglas D. Wilson and modified by the researcher. Responses to a Likert Scale instrument and…

School principals have complex jobs. To better understand the work lives of principals, this study uses observational time-use data for all high school principals in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This paper examines the relationship between the time principals spent on different types of activities and school outcomes including student…

Much has been written about the importance of school leadership, but there is surprisingly little systematic evidence on this topic. This paper presents preliminary estimates of key elements of the market for school principals, employing rich panel data on principals from Texas State. The consideration of teacher movements across schools suggests…

While the importance of effective principals is undisputed, few studies have addressed what specific skills principals need to promote school success. This study draws on unique data combining survey responses from principals, assistant principals, teachers and parents with rich administrative data to identify which principal skills matter most…

This paper presents findings of a study that analyzed the extent of burnout among Mississippi high school principals. Specifically, it identified the level of burnout among Mississippi high school principals, the relationship between certain demographic variables and burnout, and the relationship between burnout and personality type. The level of…

This report presents results of a 1997 survey of the governing boards of public colleges and universities to identify trends in their membership and board policies and practices. Among highlights are the following: (1) boards have an average size of 11 members; (2) nearly half of board members are selected by gubernatorial appointment; (3) 41…

The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the problems confronting minority administrators of mental health agencies. Twenty-five minority directors of Community Mental Health Centers were given questionnaires asking for information about their backgrounds and the design, structure, and operation of their respective mental health…

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…

Although numerous studies target classroom teacher performance or principals' ability to improve instruction, little attention is given superintendents' leadership and managerial skills. Especially neglected are relationships among superintendents--despite their serving a critical function. This study examines the interpersonal network existing…