Investigates social communications skills of 709 principals working in restructured schools, using the Social Skills Inventory. Results suggest generally marginal social skills among these principals. Positive associations were found between social competence and female gender, higher education levels, larger school size, urban school locus,…

The recent examination of the curriculum and examination systems of France and the Netherlands overlooks the real process of creating a national consensus around standards in the Netherlands, balancing local autonomy and national standards. A comment by the original authors acknowledges the implications of the Dutch approach for U.S. standards.…

This fall, about 700 charter schools will be operating in 26 states. Superintendents acknowledge that their own role often depends on a specific state's legislation. Some districts, like two Colorado systems, offer intensive support to charters. Some superintendents find working with charters to be risky and contentious, as staff struggle to…

This article identifies potential challenges facing professionals who work and who plan to work with speech-language pathology assistants, including job security, professional confidence, work efficiency, supervisory training, preservice training, the effect of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's policies, professional autonomy, and…

This article investigates the uncertain history of academic freedom in public schools, from the viewpoint of the courts' understanding and related commentaries. Also considered is the magnitude of teachers' classroom discretion, and whether courts are likely to treat content and pedagogical conflicts differently. (IAH)

This article identifies five elements which are incorporated into the developmental sequence that occurs when a job role progresses from occupation to profession. A self-assessment form is presented to enable each HPERD (health, physical education, recreation, dance) field to assess its progress toward becoming a profession. (IAH)

Discusses factors that may result in a lack of professional pride among librarians, and suggests that by examining past and present situations the profession can consider future options with pride. Recent changes in and adaptations by the publishing industry are cited to illustrate this point. (nine references) (CLB)

Clout, or the authority invoked in certain situations, is discussed as it pertains to public relations officers. Five ways to cultivate the president are presented and some effective power plays are described. (MLW)

Contends that criteria favored by "effective schools" research tend to overlook, or even foster, bland and unimaginative teaching, because of preoccupation with results of instruction and a corresponding lack of attention to teaching itself. The prevailing emphasis on management by results should therefore be supplemented by professional…

Discusses the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and its plan for voluntary national certification of elementary and secondary teachers. Suggests reasons for the lack of national standards for teachers in the past. Describes a proposed certification system that involves performance-based evaluations and an emphasis on independence…

This study of educational policy in Malta examines the academic, social, and administrative dimensions of professionalism in the Maltese context; Malta's system of corporate patronage and culture of central control; conflicts between educational administrators and practitioners; efforts to decentralize and liberalize the educational system; and…

A study using national data investigated extension of the social control theory of deviance to deviance from the four Mertonian norms of science among faculty in seven disciplines. Results suggest social control in the academic profession lies primarily in the community of the academic disciplines rather than with personal controls. (Author/MSE)

New roles for teachers in curriculum development conflict with traditional expectations. Constructing curriculum involves teachers' individual flexibility and collective uniformity. This article presents a curriculum-inquiry model that integrates elements of educational practice often dealt with in isolation (instruction, curriculum, assessment,…

Because teachers teach who they are, teacher formation should encourage them to become whole by developing into wise, mature, competent, and humane adults. Training programs that focus on "teaching" teachers and the isolation and constraints of the teaching experience itself inhibit teachers from becoming whole human beings. (LP)

Examines academic freedom from the point of view of the intersection between researcher and professional journal. Identifies two major places where violations of academic freedom might occur: (1) the review and editorial process that precedes publication; and (2) tenure and merit considerations (including issues of retention, promotion, pay…