Michael F. DiPaola

The Principalship at a Crossroads: A Study of the Conditions and Concerns of Principals

This study examined the conditions and concerns of principals in Virginia to see what their experiences and perceptions are of the growing shortage in the principalship. Findings suggest that principals do notfeel that they have sufficient authority and resources to get the job done and that they are working long hours to fill the gap. More than half of the principals currently on the job intend to retire in the next decade, raising questions about who will step forward to lead.

Bridging or Buffering? The Impact of Schools' Adaptive Strategies on Student Achievement.

Purpose – Rational and open system theories offer divergent sets of tactics on how best to deal with factors outside the boundary of the school. This study compared two competing strategies that emerge from these theories: bridging and buffering. The impact of how schools interact with their environments was examined in relation to student achievement.Design/methodology/approach – The competing theories were operationalized into two survey measures that tapped teacher perceptions of their schools’ orientations toward the environment. Using schools as the unit of analysis, two competing perspectives were contrasted together with their relative impact on student achievement on standardized tests.Findings – Multiple regression was used to assess the relative weight of each of these constructs in explaining the variance in student achievement. Bridging strategies explained a greater proportion of the variance than buffering.Research limitations/implications – Data were limited to teacher perceptions of the st...

Formalization, conflict, and change: constructive and destructive consequences in schools

Meeting the demands for increased effectiveness of schools cannot occur without systemic change. But the natural reaction to change is typically tension, resistance, and conflict. This analysis distinguishes between constructive and destructive conflict. First, conflict is conceptualized in terms of cognitive and affective types. Then organizational formalization is considered in terms of enabling or coercive procedures. A typology of change is created by cross‐partitioning the two types of conflict and formalization. The framework is useful in predicting the impact of change: from situations that catalyze and facilitate change to those that frustrate and inhibit it. Finally, the analysis summarizes key factors that administrators should consider as they attempt to use conflict to facilitate rather than inhibit constructive change and as they try to avoid and limit destructive change.

Superintendent Evaluation in a Standards-Based Environment: A Status Report from the States.

In the current political climate, in which accountability and standards-based reform represent the educational centerpiece, a renewed interest has emerged in superintendent evaluation as a focal point for school improvement. This paper examines the current state-of-the-art of superintendent evaluation. Findings from the study suggest that despite the recommendations for personnel evaluation standards proposed by The Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation (1988), 8 of the 50 state AASA/NSBA affiliates do not have requirements or guidelines for the evaluation of the superintendent. Evaluation materials provided by the affiliates in the other 42 states do not meet all of the essential criteria for quality personnel evaluation.

The Hillcrest Dilemma: Who is Calling the Shots?

Fiscal accountability has long been public demand of elected and appointed public officials. Decisions on how to allocate limited resources, in efforts to achieve the goals of an organization, are some of the most difficult to make. This case focuses on the dilemmas of a superintendent and board in responding to financial crises while balancing the needs of students.

Scandal at Placido High: Coincidence or Conspiracy?

This case reflects some of the messy problems administrators confront. Problems that: occur outside of the traditional school routine or setting; involve individuals or organizations outside of the schoolís jurisdiction; unfold in the daily newspaper, as reliable information is being sought by school officials; can easily spin out of control and violate basic rights and principles.