Special issue explores the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered (LGBT) public-school administrators. Provides an analysis of ways sexuality has been a central force in shaping school administration. Administrative work paralleled the roles in traditional married households; administrators have been required to demonstrate notably…

Examines multiple ways in which the normalization of sexuality might be interrogated. Argues that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered faculty and administrators can more effectively contravene the normalizing practices of heterosexism by refusing to remain silent about issues of sexuality. Includes implications for practicing researchers and…

Describes a study conducted to determine the relationship between selected characteristics of summer sessions/terms in public two-year colleges and enrollment, location, type of institution, organizational structure, and level of integration of summer terms with year-round operations. The study also investigated the characteristics, attitudes, and…

Colleagues of the late Virginia Carter Smith, former communications vice president of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), comment on her special qualities and contributions to the organization and its administration. (MSE)

Describes a study investigating the perceived commitment for instructional improvement among two-year college chief academic officers (CAOs). Compares data from 712 2-year college CAOs with that from 1,328 4-year college CAOs. Indicates that both groups reported a relatively low level of perceived commitment to activities designed to improve the…

Discusses the responsibilities of those who lead state-level community college governing boards. Discusses the importance of leadership skills, coordination of agencies, communication within the college system, confronting political agendas, and interacting with legislators. Indicates that good state directors are educators who know the value of…

The need for interpersonal skills among educational administrators was examined. Educational administration graduate students were found similar to the general population in attending, empathy, respect, and concreteness. After training of school administrators in interpersonal skills and group management, assessments indicated significant,…

Reports on a survey of 321 community college faculty comparing reported job satisfaction with their perceptions of the leadership styles of their college's president. Finds high job satisfaction correlated with a "high relationship/low task" leadership style. Finds low job satisfaction among male and vocational faculty. (DMM)

Men and women have different characteristic work behaviors and attitudes that affect their career advancement. A study of women college administrators identified four abilities of successful women in the field: strong sense of self; working hard and setting priorities; interpersonal skills, including listening and mediating; and ability to use…

In the site-based management model, principals must have specific skills for effective leadership. Those skills include an ability to motivate teachers, support open management, engineer participative decision making, develop human and group skills with strong communication, and lead and guide activities and groups toward the goals of the school.…

Data from two surveys of two- and four-year colleges and universities (n=2,896 and n=1,512) investigated patterns in educational and occupational status of administrators' parents in comparison with the general population and by socioeconomic status, ethnic or minority status, gender, institution type, and position type. The majority of parents…

Describes a study of job satisfaction and organizational commitment among top administrators (excluding the president) at New Mexico's 16 2-year colleges, and the effect of presidential leadership behaviors and job, personal, and organizational characteristics on satisfaction/commitment. Reports a fair degree of job satisfaction and college…

Results of two investigations of leader characteristics and behaviors associated with extraordinary performance are reported. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Results indicated transformational leadership was more prevalent in higher education than at other levels; they emphasized the importance of professional development…

Three prevalent misconceptions about Asian Pacific Americans in higher education are challenged, based on distribution data and documented tenure cases: that they are well represented in college faculties and key administrative positions, do not face discriminatory or unfair employment practices, and are less likely than others to contest…

Describes a small-scale study of four British primary schools where high numbers of ll-year-olds achieve level 4 or better in English by the end of Key Stage 2. Identifies 13 common school-effectiveness characteristics and proposes headteacher creativity as a 14th characteristic needing further study. (16 references) (MLH)