The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences and knowledge that informed the decision-making of nine principals from a large midwestern urban district who shifted from implementing mainly exclusionary to restorative practices. Framed by Lederach's conflict transformation theory, the research question was: What knowledge and…

Traditionally schools in the past were mostly homogenous, but with demographic shifts, schools are becoming more ethnically diverse, disadvantaged, and multilingual. In contrast, the teaching population still reflects that outdated homogenous template: "predominantly white and female," middle-class, and unilingual. This exploratory study examined…

Focuses on the identification of principles and strategies to be followed in conflict resolution. (Author/MLF)

The conflict management process outlined here calls for strength development, trust building, accurate message sending and receiving, reality testing, goal setting, alternatives generation and selection, and planning for implementation. It may be used by administrators, teachers, and students. (DS)

Describes the application by principals of situational leadership concepts to reduce conflict among groups participating in decision making. Factors covered include maturity levels of participants, flexibility of leadership style, and possible variations in conflict management strategies appropriate to different maturity levels of participants.…

An instrument is presented for self-assessment by secondary school principals to identify both their willingness to intervene and their style of intervention in conflict situations with students and colleagues. (Author/MLF)

The roots of racial conflict can be identified, and often predicted, says this author who directs the Community Relations Service of the Justice Department that has helped administrators in 2,000 cases. He lists 10 tension-breeding factors that, if found in your school, may mean you're flirting with a crisis. (Editor)

Examines the dynamics of conflict and anger expressed by irate parents and offers principals a simple, effective method to resolve conflict and reduce anger in an integrative way. Well-managed conflict helps improve interpersonal relationships, promote healthy interaction, and develop creative, synergistic solutions to undesirable situations. (MLH)

The case for bureaucracy is presented in this article, which stresses the need for creative school administrators to apply the principles of bureaucracy in a way that will avoid making hired hands of professional people. (Editor)

Discusses the importance for teachers of conflict resolution through negotiation and describes a model teachers' workshop on conflict resolution. (JG)

Although violence prevention programs can be helpful, they are frequently poorly targeted and unrealistic about the social forces driving student behavior. Conflict-resolution training is effective when it occurs within a cooperative context, teaches students when a conflict is or isn't occurring, stresses concrete negotiation and mediation…

Instead of avoiding, eliminating, or managing interpersonal conflict, school leaders should explore its transformational uses. A Consensual, no-conflict approach to decision making is impossible. Conflict can serve transformational purposes by helping to organize motives; broadening, strengthening, and clarifying values; and detecting and…

The Conflict Management Student Leadership Program, which emphasizes student involvement in preventing problems such as school vandalism and violence, is described here. (DS)

The redistribution of power brought about by collective bargaining is a major source of conflict between teachers and administrators. This article describes and reviews one school district's workshop conducted to bring these two sides closer together. (Author/DS)

This article discusses the current role of the principal, how the role has changed, and how it should change. It also suggests that the principal shortage is an unintended consequence of these changes. In a national study, practitioners identified 45 descriptors of the principal's role. The analysis of the descriptors revealed four themes: role…