As part of a multiple case study of charter school leadership, the researchers in this study examined 2 principals' priorities and practices through their expressed concerns and use of time. Through an embedded case design and analysis, 6 themes surfaced from the principal interviews that occurred over the course of a school year--accountability,…

Poor parent participation in multidisciplinary team meetings can be a concern for parents and educators, as it might lead to less relevant and effective programs for students with disabilities. This study sought to extend the literature on parent participation in the Individual Education Program (IEP) process by investigating the relationship…

The purpose of this study was to examine principals' perceptions of parental involvement at various levels in terms of their role in facilitation and parent involvement in school processes. The principals in this study (n = 171) were receptive to their roles in facilitation, but not to parental involvement in school processes. Because there are…

Gathered data from 550 principals, 42% of the principals in Alabama, about demographics, job preparation, perceptions of the job, and estimated competence levels for success as a principal. Responses indicate that the job of principal has become very demanding and complex. Findings also show that the majority of surveyed principals plan on…

Studied an elementary school in Casper, Wyoming, that functions without a principal. Each of the identified responsibilities of the principal is assigned to one or two individuals. Teacher teams appear to handle management responsibilities rather successfully, but are not addressing many of the leadership responsibilities of building principals.…

Explored professional development needs related to demographic characteristics of principals and examined the relationship of professional development needs and self-reported job performance ratings. Responses of 140 principals show a positive relationship between professional development needs and self-reported job performance ratings. (SLD)

Whether there is a relationship between teachers' ratings of principal effectiveness and school-based council effectiveness was studied with 320 elementary school teachers and 19 elementary principals in Kentucky. Overall principal perception was correlated to successfully viewed school-based decision-making meetings, the basic source of…

Components of effective teaching considered most essential and most difficult for beginning teachers were studied by asking 52 principals, 108 teachers, 16 college teachers, 93 pre-intern teachers, and 292 intern teachers. Differences in opinions among the groups and ways teacher education can address them are discussed. (SLD)

Relationships among principal leadership style, personality type, and school climate were studied in urban and rural contexts using responses from 34 principals and 166 teachers in three similar school districts. No relationship was found between personality type and leadership style, and no urban/rural differences were found for these variables…

In a study conducted in two large school districts, 279 educational administrators expressed a strong desire for training in the major areas of educational leadership that were assessed: (1) the principalship; (2) problem solving; (3) planning for school growth; (4) personal awareness; (5) staff development; (6) long-range planning; and (7) the…

As part of the legal defense in an educational-disparity court case in Alabama, school resources and conditions and teacher and principal attitudes were studied in 45 school districts. Findings from all sources show disparities favoring wealthy schools on about 84% of the variables examined. Research impact on the trial is discussed. (SLD)