A substantial review of both the goals of Western civilization and the political realities of American democracy serves to establish the context in which the author of this lecture considers the problems facing educational administrators and the institutions that train them. Noting the failure of civilization to assure mankind of its basic needs for health, security, and freedom, and the tendency of our political system to respond to the shifting pressures of mutually opposed special interest groups by resisting change, the author asserts that statesmanship is the quality most needed in today's leaders, and particularly in educational leaders. To encourage the development of leaders who are both knowledgeable and able to apply their knowledge practically, the author proposes a six-element approach. First, programs should be designed on a scientific basis; second, emphasis should be placed on applicative aspects of the scientific knowledge developed; third, clinical experience should be achieved through effective internship programs; fourth, administrators must specialize in teaching and learning rather than management; fifth, society's realities must be stressed in training as well as in practice; and sixth, the ethical principles of administration and the administrator must be dealt with. (Auhtor/PGD)