In a study to identify characteristics and behaviors of effective elementary school principals in Cyprus, 49 principals judged as excellent by the Education Ministry were interviewed. Effective principals are ambitious, honest, and self-confident; deeply committed to their profession; proud of their country's heritage and traditions; deep thinkers…

Asserts that principals can increase student learning if they work intentionally and with heart with their faculties. Describes experiences of two Washington State elementary principals. (PKP)

Reports on a study of personal characteristics and attitudes of 155 first-time superintendents as compared with experienced superintendents, based on analysis of national data from 10-year study of the superintendency. Profile of first-year superintendents was nearly identical to that of experienced ones, except for a higher percentage of female…

Results of a research study to determine the extent to which presidents of 4-year institutions with Senior Student Affairs Officer (SSAO) experience share the leadership characteristics of effective presidents as defined by earlier research are reported. Based on analysis of the data using t test and ANOVA statistical procedures, it is concluded…

The shortage of school leaders, mainly caused by the growing complexity of the job is steadily growing in recent years. This study reports on the results of a comparative empirical study into the causes of premature departure for male and female principals in primary and secondary education. Principals who have experienced premature departure…

Financial misdeeds, athletics scandals, and votes of "no confidence." How does a president escape all of these and hold office for the long haul? And "why" does one serve for an extensive term? In this article, the author explores these questions as he looks back on his long tenure at The George Washington University. He…

As the end of the 2002-2003 school year drew near, the author began to reflect on her first year as a vice principal. Her first year had been exciting and adventurous, although it started quite differently from most: she had the opportunity of opening a brand new school while working under the outstanding leadership of Marian White-Hood, the…

Research studies strongly support the fact that the leadership of the school principal impacts directly on the climate of the school and, in turn, on student achievement. National statistics relating to principal turnover and dwindling supplies of qualified replacements show clearly that principal turnover has reached crisis proportions.…

Purpose--The purpose of this article is to review literature in certain areas and report on related results from a study of successful school principalship in the Australian state of Tasmania. Design/methodology/approach--Surveys on successful school principalship were distributed to a population of 195 government schools (excluding colleges and…

Arguments presented in this paper and the evidence from the Tasmanian Successful School Principals Project support broadening "what" counts for successful schools and school leadership. This broadening needs to embrace student outcomes, including non-cognitive social outcomes such as student empowerment. In examining who should provide…

This article features Ellen Minette, principal of Heidelberg Middle School in Heidelberg, Germany. Minette attended 13 schools before she graduated from high school. Her father, an Air Force pilot who served in the Korean War and who was a part of the Berlin Airlift, was deployed much of the time as they moved from one posting to another. Growing…

This study examined the job and growth satisfaction of secondary school administrators. Three sets of variables (job, organizational, and personal characteristics) were tested in terms of their impact on 2 related but distinct dependent variables: job and growth satisfaction. The participants included 153 school administrators, 66 principals, and…

This paper provides a framework for understanding the complexity of the chief student affairs officer (CSAO) at higher education institutions, examining existing models and an alternative, "cluster-culture" model. It notes that current literature on the CSAO position is inadequate in its description of the roles, responsibilities, and orientations…

This paper presents findings of a study that explored how staff and parents experienced one school's environment, particularly, the relationship between the principal's caring leadership and the school's environment. The Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Center in Peoria, Illinois, served preprimary and primary grades. Seventy-five percent of the…

For decades women have aspired to leadership positions in business, industry, and education. How women perceive opportunities in education, as well as their perceptions of viable options in meeting their career objectives, are important issues to address in college preparation courses. Sixty-one female students currently enrolled in administrative…