Influential texts have long identified principals as being essential to school success. Accordingly, high expectations and pressures have attended the principalship and affected the professionals who occupy it. This exploration asked three interrelated questions: What pressures have urban school principals typically faced, in the past and today?…

The intersection and clash between prevailing norms of schooling and increasing sensitivity to diversity raises a host of previously ignored ethical considerations for school administrators. These ethical issues remain largely invisible to many school leaders and thus are addressed only minimally or inadequately. This paper explores ethical issues…

This is a response to an article by Carl Glickman entitled "Across the Void: Preparing Thoughtful Educational Leaders for Today's Schools" that appeared in the September 2005 issue of the "Journal of School Leadership." In his article, Glickman argues that the preparation of educational leaders must shake the assumptions that are generally held…

Democratic schooling extends beyond governance structures into all areas of educational practice. What are appropriate practices for democratic schools? This question was addressed by a qualitative study of principals in schools striving to become more democratic. These principals expanded decision-making involvement and discourse, stressed…

Administrator competency testing is required in 15 states. Competency testing has traditionally been plagued by ambiguous objectives, questionable validity, an adverse effect on minority group members, and high costs. Offers recommendations for policymakers and for preparation programs. (41 references) (MLF)

Explores ethical issues of cultural diversity, power, and influence embedded in leadership and school practices. Explores ethical criteria suggested by various perspectives (functionalism, interpretivism, and critical theory), arguing that ethical issues can be more thoroughly addressed by using criteria from multiple perspectives. Single-lens…

Rather than rehash the scholarly debate about appropriate inquiry modes, this article presents an alternative philosophical framework (based on the American Indian medicine wheel) through which to view the quantitative-qualitative issue. The article also discusses practical considerations of the debate and examines implications for research,…