For this comprehensive literature review, we begin by framing our study with a scholarship review of the theorizing of place-based leadership and rural administrators. We then synthesize research on the practice and experiences of district administrators, including superintendents, school boards, and other ancillary leaders. We identify multiple…

The premise of this article is that studies of distributed leadership could benefit from further incorporation of institutional approaches to better understand complex reform demands facing school leaders working for instructional improvement. We begin by articulating the core components of a distributed perspective on leadership and of an…

Although the number of multilingual (ML) students continues to rise nationally, little scholarly attention has been paid to the education of "rural" ML students and families. There is critical need to better understand who rural ML students are and how to align their linguistic knowledge and strengths with appropriate instructional…

Provides a classification and description of school leadership models found in contemporary, Western, English-language research literature, focusing on instructional leadership, transformational leadership, moral leadership, participative leadership, managerial leadership, and contingent leadership. For each category, the paper clarifies…

A review of literature regarding the concept of visionary leadership identifies and discusses four types of vision (organizational, future, personal, and strategic) and factors that contribute to this vision (information processing skills; diagnostic tools; conceptual knowledge; creative thinking; and self-awareness). (CB)

Reviews selected literature on administrative evaluation and focuses on four topics: (1) linking principals to school effectiveness as an outcome; (2) increasing awareness of school contextual indicators affecting leadership and effectiveness; (3) the effects of structural reform on the principal's role; and (4) assessing principal's performance…

Case studies of four principals and their "problem-finding" behavior (identifying and solving strategic organizational problems) are presented to illustrate their roles and effectiveness in providing instructional leadership. (CB)

This journal, presented in monograph form, reviews research findings in order to identify elements that influence student academic achievement. Sections focus on effective teaching, effect of school leadership on achievement, schoolwide learning environment, learning resources, and parent involvement. An extensive bibliography is included. (DF)

Examines findings of Professional Development School (PDS) researchers on the potential of PDSs to change and improve the quality of education, discussing Holmes Group research, describing barriers that have limited the contribution from PDS research, and arguing for greater focus on professional development, leadership, and policy if the PDS…

The roles and images of the school principalship are discussed, including the principal as bureaucrat, instructional supervisor, manager, and politician, pointing out gaps between images of what a principal should be and what current principals actually do in their administrative positions. (CB)

Explores several dilemmas facing those interested in developing processes for principal evaluation and, drawing from program evaluation practices, suggests a consumer-oriented, outcomes-based approach for evaluating principals. The article concludes with a set of criteria for assessing any principal evaluation program. (GLR)