Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive framework for capturing the complex concept the authors call school improvement. Design/methodology/approach: The author begins by anchoring that framework on an historical understanding of school improvement. The framework itself is then presented. Five dimensions are described: the…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the literature from the organizational sciences to develop a grounded narrative of turnaround leadership. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a review of literature, which employs a ten-step process to explore and make sense of the turnaround literature from the organizational sciences. The…

Examines causes, strategies, and dynamics of U.S. excellence-era educational reforms, assessing economic, social, and political reform pressures. Examines major governmental, professional, citizen, and market policies promulgated across three promising, if problematic, reform periods characterized as intensification, restructuring, and reformation…

Investigates the nature of administrative control in 12 instructionally effective school districts in California. Nine control functions are assumed to affect student outcomes by influencing curriculum and instruction. Findings from interviews with superintendents revealed more district-level control of principal behavior and site activity than…

Superintendents in 12 instructionally effective California school districts were interviewed and documents were analyzed for coordination of instructional activities management. Results suggest that these superintendents are more active "instructional managers" than expected. A uniform picture of instructional coordination is not provided;…

The Disadvantaged Schools Program (DSP) has been an important and integral part of education for many Australian students for over a decade. After reviewing eight school effectiveness variables, this paper argues that adding a new emphasis on academic success and cognitive skills will enhance the DSP program. Includes 3 tables and 20 references.…

Examines control mechanisms that superintendents used to shape and direct suburban high school principals' work. Includes four hierarchical controls (supervision, input, behavior, and output) and two nonhierarchical controls (section/socialization and environmental), along with school social status and district size. The control mechanisms were…

Draws on other articles in this journal issue to identify emergent themes concerning the principal's evolving role in several countries. Explains the context for change, including reform pressures and political response, and examines principals' changing work environment, their transformed roles, and preparation and professional development…

Eleven approaches to administrator training representative of the new era are analyzed. Emphasized are pressure for changes, areas of weakness, common aspects emerging, and problems involved in the new movement in training. (84 references) (SI)