This book is the first in a set of three study guides designed to help students of educational administration critically analyze contemporary theory in the field, examine the field from a new viewpoint, and develop their own, more practical knowledge base. The first of this volume's two sections, by W. John Smyth, focuses upon the traditional or positivistic approach to the study of educational administration and guides the student through a reading of "Educational Administration: Theory, Research and Practice," a textbook by W. Hoy and C. Miskel identified as typical of the traditional approach. Particular attention is devoted to the book's emphasis on scientific research and theory as the necessary basis of knowledge, to the exclusion of practice and values. The second section, by Laurie Rattray-Wood and June Parrott, argues that the disintegrating consensus of traditional views about the theory of educational administration is leading to the adoption of a revised approach in which the real substance of educational administration includes determination of values, evaluation of ideas, and negotiation of ideas through discourse. Crisis theory is discussed, including its application to the social context of education. The impact of technology, the mass media, and new concepts of work are also reviewed, and future issues and problems are anticipated. Articles from the literature are reproduced for consideration, readings and activities are recommended, and over 75 relevant references are cited. (PGD)