This study attempted to identify the criteria educational administrators use when selecting individuals for promotion. Researchers compared "operative criteria" (those actually used) with "posted criteria" (those espoused). Interviews were conducted with 92 school administrators. Brown's Form PROM, derived from Kelly's role construct repertory grid, was the instrument used. Administrators were asked to list general criteria important in selecting employees for promotion and then criteria they had actually used in selecting individuals for promotion. The most important criteria to emerge were (1) perceptiveness and intelligence, (2) self-others orientation, (3) decision-making skills, and (4) innovation and flexibility. Findings indicate that administrators in more senior positions use cognitively more complex structures for discrimination among persons and moreover, that those using more complex structures make more valid decisions, at least in so far as their operative criteria are congruent with their posted criteria. Finally, it is suggested that fairer and more valid decisions might be made if administrators participate in activities that help make them more aware of and increase the complexity of their own criteria (such as the use of Brown's form PROM). (Author/JM)