This qualitative study explores school leaders' (principals and assistant principals) perspectives on crisis leadership roles and their competencies in responding to and managing a crisis. The role of school leaders has become increasingly disrupted by unexpected incidents that are diverse and complex in nature. As such, their knowledge of crisis…

Purpose: It has been suggested that coherency between primary stakeholders involved in an educational reform is a key determinant of its success. The "Meaningful Learning Reform" is defined as an open reform, serving as a bottom-up solution to promote school autonomy. This reform allows school leaders to exercise considerable discretion…

In this paper, we document development of administrator networks around teacher evaluation and Common Core in an urban district over four years. Using social network analysis, we look at the extent to which networks focused on instructional initiatives spanned formal roles. Findings highlight influences of role and grade level as well as the…

In U.S. public schools, the shortage of teachers of African descent specifically, and teachers of color more generally, is a worsening problem that has severe, detrimental effects on students. This shortage of Black teachers is driven in part by high turnover, much of which is precipitated by the poor working conditions in their schools. In this…

In this article, we argue that ESSA provides a unique policy window for district-level leaders to advance an equity agenda by working closely with local community advocates. Drawing from a larger qualitative, multiple case study on the role of school boards in three U.S. Mountain West school districts, we focus on community advocacy committed to…

This study investigates whether and how principals implementing Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) were able to share decision-making authority with team members and how team members perceived this authority. Having interviewed and observed ILT members in four, in-district charter schools in a large northeastern city I find that principals had…

Examines differences and similarities in role conception between principals participating in a state-sponsored restructuring program (the Centennial School Program) and nonparticipating principals. Findings from a statewide survey of administrators show that CSP principals generally report practices and attitudes congruent with program elements.…

Presents findings of a survey examining superintendents' work in curriculum development and instructional leadership. Respondents described their curriculum-development role as primarily grounded in facilitation, support, and delegation of work to others. Superintendents performed four major instructional leadership roles as visionaries,…

Examines the responses of principals to intergroup conflict that occurred as a result of cultural incongruities between teachers of color and their European American counterparts in desegregated suburban schools. Employs intergroup theory to explicitly define and measure how school leaders managed group conflict in their schools. (Contains 24…

Comparative study of American and Chinese school principals' basic beliefs regarding education and schooling, their views on and role in school reform, and their visions of ideal schools in the 21st century. Finds striking contrasts between American and Chinese principals' views and visions. (Contains 47 references.) (Authors/PKP)

Summarizes study comparing superintendents' and principals' expectations concerning principals' involvement in making budget decisions at school site. Respondents differed significantly regarding degree of principal involvement in salary decisions about noncertificated staff, purchase of texts and library books, and decisions affecting building…

Summarizes an exploratory study to identify administrative stress and socialization variables that affect the attitudes and performance of new and experienced urban principals. The study found that new and experienced principals possessed remarkably similar attitudes and that experienced principals perceive greater role conflict than do new…

Explores district leaders' roles in implementing a year-round schooling reform. Examines experiences of four Florida districts, stressing social, political, and fiscal contexts. Leaders promote innovation by acting humanely and openly, and by eschewing unfulfillable promises. Creating widespread support, being flexible, and crafting a climate for…

Examines recommendations of "expert" Southern California principals for modifying administrator-preparation programs based on interactions existing among changing social demographics, effects on schools, and effects on administrators. University-based training programs should play a critical role in equipping aspiring administrators with…

Investigated (Alabama) principals' role perceptions and possible gender influences. Results show the principal's job has changed significantly during the past 5 years. Male and female respondents agreed about challenges and necessary skills, but differed on role perceptions. Women were more global and team-oriented; men were more managerial.…