Research from the past two decades positions relational trust as a key factor in school reform efforts. Trust between teachers and their principal (teacher-principal trust) and teachers and their colleagues (teacher-teacher trust) are particularly important. "Leading Together" (LT) is a new professional development and coaching model of…

An exploratory investigation was conducted into the motivations and leadership traits of five rural school superintendents who over time evidenced a commitment to social justice. This effort meets a call in the research literature by Furman (2012), who noted that "to date, the literature offers few specifics about the actual practice of…

Empirical studies indicate family concerns as a primary reasons why promising principals and central office administrators do not aspire to the superintendency (O'Connell, Brown, Guptil, Stosberg, & O'Connell, 2001; Volp & Rogers, 2004). Hesitancy to apply for superintendent positions is further complicated by the fact that the…

This article examines high superintendency turnover through rural community members' perceptions of such attrition in their districts. Findings indicate that community members perceived high turnover as negative and believed that turnover was created by financial pressures, rural community resistance to educational trends, and bias against…

The purpose of this article is to describe lessons learned from studying the leadership in eight award-winning secondary schools and districts that were recognized for successfully leveraging technology as part of their efforts for school improvement. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and document analysis in schools and…

This article examines teacher leader role development and definition by looking at one emergent model of distributed leadership: the hybrid teacher leader (HTL). HTLs are teachers whose official schedule includes both teaching K-12 students and leading teachers in some capacity. Participants included six HTLs across four school districts over 2…

Investigated district and site administrators' perceptions of school violence and violence-prevention programs in 15 school districts in 12 states. Unanimously agreed-upon causes were lack of family involvement or supervision, lack of family structure, and parental use of violence. Describes a prevention model stressing family inclusion, values…

Based on interviews with newly appointed urban principals, this study concludes that internal and external factors interact to influence leadership behavior. External factors (role models, district expectations, and personal and organizational support) influence principals' sense of self-efficacy, which in turn affects their interpretation of…

Examines the socialization of seven promoted and seven aspiring vice-principal candidates in a large Ontario school district. Certain socialization experiences were highly valued in the selection process: having systems-level administrative experience; being focused toward preparation; practicing instructional leadership; developing a strong…

Examines the competencies required by superintendents to lead schools in diverse cultural settings. Methodology included interviews with 12 multicultural education experts, participation of 14 "expert" superintendents, and written responses. Findings revealed considerable agreement between experts and superintendents concerning these…

Discusses a qualitative study focused on specific success strategies gathered in interviews with women superintendents. Interpretations that cut across the narratives are expressed through the metaphoric framework provided by Carlos Castaneda's principles of power that govern the "riddle of the heart," or caring ethic. Successful women…

Indepth interviews with two female and two male school leaders, one of each gender who were "closeted" in their sexuality and one of each who were "open." Foucault's sovereign and disciplinary power and normalization conceptually framed the study. Interviewee's fear of disclosure resulted in reproducing heteronormative power.…

Surveys ethical problems characterizing senior educational executives' moral wrestlings. Describes ethical misdeeds as transgressions against administrators' core ethical values (caring/respect, fairness, professional conduct, resource stewardship, integrity, loyalty, honesty, and stewardship). Delineates ethical quandaries as "grey area" problems…

Summarizes a study comparing male and female educational administration professors' perceptions about how they obtained their positions and factors regarded as critical to the job search. Professors' perceptions were highly similar, but noteworthy gender-based differences emerged regarding the relative importance of interviews, perceived…

Investigates the extent that principals' managerial behavior is related to their beliefs about control. Argues for a negative relation between extreme locus of control and perspectives used by individuals for strategic and long-term plans. "Extreme control" principals produce strategic plans with shorter perspectives. (Contains 56…