The purpose of this paper is to share findings from two studies. One study investigates how Minnesota school administrators are addressing cultural diversity and English Language Learners. Data was collected through an electronic survey sent to superintendents and principals. 326 surveys from a possible 998 were completed for a return rate of…

Executives with a track record of success are sometimes fired, demoted, or plateaued. This publication presents findings of a study conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), which compared contemporary derailed and successful executives in the United States and Europe. Results are compared to those of earlier CCL findings. Data were…

Findings from a study that examined the perceptions of New York public school superintendents toward specific administrative job applicants with respect to job title and sex and the impact on women's career paths in educational administration are presented in this paper. The first methodological phase, which examined the relationship between…

Findings of a study that examined the characteristics of women principals in Israel, as compared with research findings of the 1960s and 70s, are presented in this paper. Data were derived from interviews, questionnaires, and the written autobiographies of 36 aspiring or practicing women principals in Israel. Findings suggest that, overall, the…

In order to identify factors enabling superintendents to maintain their position, this study examines characteristics of superintendents serving in the same Oklahoma rural school districts for 12 years or more, a tenure longer than the national average of 5 years. Twenty-four superintendents were identified and interviewed by telephone. Data…

Developing and pursuing a "vision" for school success is a crucial part of effective educational leadership. This document explores theoretical models of vision for school success and leadership forces in education; discusses principals as visionary leaders; offers practical advice on developing, implementing, and maintaining a vision for one's…

In 1991, a survey was conducted of 150 black female administrators at the department chair level and above at 65 community colleges in 19 states. The questionnaire solicited information on respondent characteristics, such as age, degrees, and salary, and their perceptions of the degree to which each of 20 variables positively or negatively…

A study attempted to: (1) identify principals' perceptions of their occupational responsibilities and their academic preparation to function in these areas; (2) determine significant relationships between perceptions of preparation and perceptions of difficulty; and (3) determine significant differences among the perceptions of groups of…

Mexico's recent history has been characterized by critical economic and political conditions that have eclipsed discussions of topics such as education. This paper views school principals as a key component of educational progress. If the current government's modernization policy included education, it would first be necessary to consider changes…

Whatever the past achievements of our schools, very few today bring about student learning even remotely up to the minimum requirements of a nation such as the United States; small improvements in the educational system will be of little consequence in light of the huge deficits and the country's increasing needs. Most of the large, complex plans…

Results of a descriptive quantitative study to identify personal beliefs and goals shared by effective school principals are presented in this report. Data were collected through an experience sampling study of principals, and through teacher and student attitudinal surveys. The experience sampling stage involved 81 Illinois elementary or…

The role of the principal as leader has been a subject of considerable debate and research in education. This study examines the extent of variation in leadership behavior and activities among urban high school principals. Data were collected through interviews with principals and teachers in national samples of urban comprehensive high schools…

While attending the December 12, 1984, Commission on Occupational Education Institutions (COEI) Delegate Assembly of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 79 school personnel responded to a questionnaire to determine their attitudes toward accreditation standards. Measured were the following: respondents' perceptions of the priorities…

Using nationally representative data generated by the normal, day-to-day operation of schools, this research tested the major conclusions drawn from case studies focusing on principal effectiveness. On the basis of detailed information regarding individual student characteristics and achievements, detailed characteristics of teachers and their…

Robert Katz's model of the effective administrator, based on essential technical, human, and conceptual skills, offers a useful framework for the administrator of a program in English as a second language (ESL). The technical, human, and conceptual skills specific to the ESL program environment are outlined and illustrated, and Katz's estimation…