This study examines how first year principals learn their roles and provides the picture through their eyes. As there is no formal preparation requirement to become a principal in Victorian government schools, new principals must seek out and direct their own learning for the role. The study describes the informal and formal sources of learning that are sought by beginning principals to help them learn about their new role. The focus is on identifying what sources of learning were used through different phases of the study and how some became more critical than others in shaping and developing the role of a principal in the school. This thesis is a story of continuous professional socialization and learning of a group of seven beginning principals using case studies and interviews over four phases of learning in their first year in the role as they proceed from appointment, entry, establishment through to consolidation of the role. The process of socialization underpins the study and is conceived as a process of learning in which the participants actively direct and participate in their own socialization. However, greater emphasis is placed on the developing nature and reliance on learning in role development. Previous studies of professional socialization of beginning principals have identified licensure programs as significant in the preparation and ongoing development process, whereas this is not the case in Victoria where no such requirements exist. This study adds to existing studies through the finding that there are similarities in the stages of professional socialization process in the Australian context, but also explores new aspects about professional learning by identifying various phases and sources of learning for Victorian principals. These ranged from dependence upon an apprenticeship arrangement, through self-directed task learning, to that of becoming an independent learner within a professional community of equals. Some of the themes identified and explored in this study included examining phases of learning, sources of learning, and their effect on role development. The study was initially based on identifying and exploring some of the key issues and the significance of learning experiences suggested by the beginning principals rather than researching predetermined hypotheses. This grounded and qualitative approach involved data collection over four different time phases in the first year in the role and allowed flexibility in the construction of case studies and the cumulative development of data through the study. The greater part of the data were collected through interviews in each of the four phases of the study along with the collection of survey data for comparison and contrast in the first and final study phases. The research raises many issues that can serve as a basis for further exploration of the complexity of the role of learning within professional socialization for beginning principals. As well, it suggests a number of implications for the organization of professional learning and socialization in beginning principal socialization for the first year in the role.

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The study examines the use of automatic data processing in educational organisations for the purpose of determining the feasibility of using some ADP applications in the administration of a large urban ACT primary school. Educational managers working in primary schools are required to make decisions which draw upon information concerning the student population, school curriculum, school personnel and general school administration. An analysis of the decision making areas of Charnwood Primary School is undertaken and the information required for making each decision is identified. The concept of using a database to provide some of this information is explored and suggested as being an effective means of managing student data. Some equipment options which would enable a primary school to implement a database and provide word processing facilities are examined within a context of limited resources. The capacities and advantages of using computer equipment which is presently accessible to schools are outlined, along with the feasibility of employing the services of a data processing agency. The conclusion is reached that there are a number of ADP applications applicable for use at Charnwood Primary School, as well as a number of other computer based facilities, such as word processing and plant management, The downward price spiral of computer equipment will enable most primary schools to use computer facilities for school administration within the next five years.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Bibliography: p. 59-62.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. William R. Snyder, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 16, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

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<p> The war on terror after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, continues to include ongoing efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries in which the military serve and protect. Active-duty members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard continue to serve in these hazardous zones to minimize war crimes where families are left behind. With the necessity of military deployments, issues of psychological, emotional, and behavioral tribulations surrounding the children of deployed active-duty members are observed. The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore schoolteacher&rsquo;s perceptions about effective actions taken to enhance the performance of children and the classroom environment, while the children were coping with their active-duty parent&rsquo;s deployment. The sample included elementary schoolteachers and administrators that taught in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) in Belgium who have had parents of their students deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hazardous zone areas. The research question asked: When observed behaviors are identified in relation to parental deployment, how do effective actions taken mitigate behavioral problems and enhance the classroom learning environment? The qualitative explorative case study aided in identifying and understanding schoolteachers&rsquo; perceptions about effective actions taken to enhance the performance of children and the classroom environment while children were coping with their active-duty parent&rsquo;s deployment. This critical situation for children showed stressful and coping challenges and an imposed hardship on the children&rsquo;s customary way of living and participation in the school environment.</p>

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