This manuscript reports results from two open-ended questions from a larger descriptive study that sought to gather perceptions from practicing Illinois superintendents on coursework and other program characteristics in superintendent preparation programs. The study surveyed all Illinois superintendents (873 districts) using an online survey. We…

This article is a cross-case analysis drawing on case study research conducted in 2009-2010 on six leadership preparation programs and their district-university affiliation, using research on consumer action and inter-organizational relationships to understand their relationships in developing leadership preparation programs. The six urban…

Although university-based school administrator preparation programs are required by accreditation agencies to assess the dispositions of candidates, valid and reliable methods for doing so remain scarce. "The School Leaders Disposition Inventory"[C] (SDLI) is proposed as an instrument that has promise for identifying leadership dispositions…

Information technology is influencing continuing education for K-12 administrators and in-service teachers, especially with regard to asynchronous education for professional development. Implementation of instructional technology applications has required a major restructuring of the learning environment. The restructuring has included the use of…

Interest in the preparation of principals and vice principals continues to be in the forefront of discussion about reformation of America's public schools. The current discussion is particularly important because of evolving and definitive insights derived from recent research on effective leadership practices, as well as criticisms of and…

This study examines principal preparation programs from the perspective of readiness to confront and/or support special education issues at the school building level. The purpose of this research was to answer the following questions: (1) What is the principal's readiness level upon program completion in dealing with special education issues in…

This study focuses on arguably the most important evidence related to preparing and licensing school district superintendents--the first year of practice in this challenging position. Subjects in this research were novice superintendents in office during January, 2005, in four states: California, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. The primary…

Creighton, Harris and Coleman (2005) suggest that educational leadership instructors introduce aspiring administrators to a sound knowledge base. Currently, engaging in teams is recommended for high performance and problem-solving. Bolton (1999) recommends that instructors coach teams so teaming skills are improved. But, oftentimes, there are team…

The manner by which colleges and universities prepare school leaders in doctoral programs is being called into question. One report is stirring much controversy for its unflattering portrayal of administrator preparation programs. In a 2005 report entitled "Educating School Leaders," former Columbia University president Art Levine characterizes…

The purpose of this study was to analyze changes made to the design of a principal preparation internship. The study is based in part upon findings of a previous study on internship practices in Illinois administrator preparation programs (Tripses, Philhower, Halverson, Noe, & Morford, 2005) which found discrepancies in the design of internship…

Two reports have recently been published that are critical of higher education and its preparation of school leaders. One of these reports entitled "Educating School Leaders" by Arthur Levine (2005) offered a 9-point template for judging the quality of school leadership programs. The other by Hess and Kelly (2005) entitled "Learning to Lead? What…

In most states those aspiring to be school superintendents must satisfy a series of post-master's requirements to receive the necessary certification. At the University of South Carolina, these academic requirements can be met through the completion of a 33 credit hour program culminating in an educational specialist's degree. A survey of recent…

Conflict management is among the skills necessary for the development of successful school leaders. Those in campus leadership positions are certain to face conflict situations on a regular basis. This study focused on four questions about conflict in the professional lives of campus administrators: (1) What is the frequency of conflict…

Learner-centered leadership promotes the facilitation of action research in the classroom as a method of improving teaching and learning. Action research is a classroom research process in which educators study their students' learning related to their own teaching. This process allows teachers to reflect on their own instructional practices and…

As a result of the "No Child Left Behind Act," there is increased emphasis on assessment in P-12 schools today. School administrators are responsible for assessing student achievement, teacher and staff effectiveness, school climate, and graduates' perceptions of school programs. At the university level, organizations, such as the National Council…