Analyzes the assistant principalship in terms of socialization, the enculturation process, and the actual work activity of assistant principals. Training and work of assistant principals should be restructured to avoid a trend toward development of a custodial, non-risk taking, noninstructional leader orientation. (PS)

A study extended research on the Kentucky Principal Intern Program (KPIP), an induction program for new administrators. Study participants (N=97) were public school principals and assistant principals appointed during 1998-99. All were participating as KPIP administrator interns. Survey research was used to collect data about demographic…

Vision is an important dimension in the leadership characteristics of school administrators. This dimension can be expressed in a 2-phased process: the development of both personal and organizational visions. How this vision is developed, however, in school administrators is difficult to answer. This study looks at the development of personal…

Describes long-term effects of the Peer-Assisted Leadership program on participants with regard to their administrative actions, perspectives of their roles as school leaders, and collegial networking and support. (PCB)

An assistant principal describes longterm benefits from her mentoring relationship with the principal of Santa Monica (California) High School. Chagrined at her principal's close, hands-on supervisory style, the assistant principal gradually gained experience and confidence. She learned that leadership is about serving others, compassion, and…

The ability to work collaboratively with others is becoming an essential component of contemporary school reform. This article reviews current trends in school reform that embody collaborative principles and also draws on the literature to provide a theoretical overview of collaboration itself. The article then outlines the findings from a…

This study examines the application and acquisition process of individuals completing a principal licensure program to obtain school administrative positions over a period of five years. While relatively low compensation and high-pressure accountability demands were viewed as deterrents by those deciding not to seek principalships, the majority of…

A demographic time bomb is ticking in many school jurisdictions. Up to 70 per cent of present leaders in the private and public sectors will retire within the next five to ten years as the "baby boomers" move on. While succession planning has become a major initiative in the private sector, leadership succession in education tends to hew…

The accession of new senior leaders and middle leaders are significant events and may bring a desired continuity of current improvement efforts, or herald a new direction for the school. Although attention has been paid to building leadership capacity in schools, perhaps via the distribution of leadership, little attention has been paid to…

Many years ago when the author assumed the role of assistant principal for school climate, discipline, and attendance, he inherited many school policies and guidelines that were outdated, unfair, and without merit in the current school climate. Because the school conduct code had not been revised since the school opened in 1960, many of the…

Robert Kimball made national news in February 2003 when he reported to a television station the irregularities of dropout rates in his district. He was then the assistant principal of Sharpstown Senior High School in Houston. Long-troubled schools that typically reported dropout rates of 30 and 40 percent suddenly reported dramatically lower…

Improving leadership development opportunities among those likely to ascend to the principalship is a particularly effective policy response to reform advocates. But the school district level requires a deeper understanding of the individual personality preferences and leadership styles of those preparing to apply for the next round of…

The district-level implementation of a systemic educational change in teacher evaluation mandated at the state level was studied at the elementary and middle school level in a small rural school system. The historical background of teacher evaluation processes from early American schooling to the 1909s was studied. The pilot case study then…

A formally conducted field study was used to investigate the work of vice-principals of eight large Southern California high schools and the relationship of their work to the school as an organization. Most of the vice-principals studied deal with student discipline, but four have important discipline responsibilities, which they exercise by…

A pamphlet reviewing the employment rights of school administrators in each state, this report distinguishes between substantive and procedural rights for administrators threatened with demotion or dismissal. The author argues that principals should be aware of the kind and degree of statutory employment protection in their states, which differ in…