<p> The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States ignited a profound increase in undergraduate-volunteerism on college campuses until 2006. Since then, a national decline in student volunteerism has occurred; simultaneously, scholars have focused on recruitment and utilization of student-volunteers instead of undergraduates' retention in civil service projects. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to investigate the lived volunteer experiences of alumni and undergraduates of the Scholarship Program for Volunteer Service (SPVS) at a private, Catholic college in western New York State. The alumni group had matriculated in the SPVS from 2001-2005, at a time when the national average of collegiate-volunteerism was higher than the undergraduates' group matriculating since 2006. Nine alumni SPVS participants participated in a focus group session. Ten undergraduate SPVS participants were interviewed individually. These data were analyzed by Groenewald's (2004) five-step approach of phenomenological reduction, which modified Hycner (1999) and Moustakas's (1994) original structures of phenomenological reduction. Data analysis included (a) bracketing and phenomenological reduction; (b) delineating units of meaning; (c) clustering of meaningful units to form themes; (d) summarizing each interview, validate, and modify; and (e) making a composite summary. The three thematic findings of this study were (a) motivation, (b) religious application, and (c) pre-service learning. Conclusively, the two surrounding phenomena working not in isolation were collectivism and individualism. Collectivism was best supported by Strauss and Howe's (1997) generational theory. Individualism was best supported by Bass's (2008) economic theories of organization. Future research should focus on how economic factors influence human motivation. </p>

<p> This exploratory study (a) assessed the political skill of superintendents in the Commonwealth of Virginia and (b) identified influences on the development of political skill as related by those in the position. Bolman and Deal (2013), in their research on leadership, viewed the concept through four frames. This study focused on the political frame, viewing organizations as arenas, contests, or jungles with stakeholders competing for power or scarce resources (Bolman &amp; Deal, 2013). In this frame, solutions arise from political skill and acumen, and therefore certain leadership skills are necessary. </p><p> Study data were collected through an electronic survey sent to the population of 132 Virginia Superintendents. The survey included the 18 items of the Political Skill Inventory (PSI; Ferris et al., 2005). The inventory includes four critical facets, each measuring a key dimension of political skill. Also included in the survey were demographic questions and questions related to factors that influenced development of political skill. </p><p> Findings indicated that superintendents in the Commonwealth of Virginia collectively self-rate as possessing an elevated level of political skill with a mean of 6.16, only slightly less than the maximum of 7. The only statistically significant correlation (r = .24, p = .029) was found between gender and political skill noting that females tended to score themselves higher than males did. In an effort to further explore, influences were examined, and results indicated that participants' political skill was influenced by a variety of factors, but mainly by previous professional experiences, personal role models, and professional mentors. </p><p> This exploration may bring more attention to this specific skill for those who currently hold the position to improve the skill as needed, those who aspire to the position, school boards hiring new leaders for their divisions, and higher education institutions offering pre-service preparation programs or professional development for superintendents. As the position of superintendent evolves to become more complex, far-reaching, and demanding (Kowalski, 2006), so should the examination of those skills required for the role.</p>

<p> This quantitative study examined the leadership efficacy of community college students in leadership positions using Bandura's (1997) self-efficacy concept. The sample included 124 respondents from 19 community colleges in California. The results indicated that student leaders' leadership efficacy was moderately high, suggesting participants believed they might be able to accomplish certain leadership tasks. There were no significant differences in leadership efficacy scores by gender or ethnicity. However, a significant difference was found in one category, the belief in ability to motivate groups. Implications for leadership educators, institutional practices, and future research are discussed.</p>

<p> The purpose of this exploratory case study was to explore teacher perceptions of the servant leadership characteristics of one principal and how that correlated with their job satisfaction. Thirty-two full-time elementary school teachers in one district located in the Southwestern United States participated in the study. Laub's Organizational Assessment (OLA) was used to measure their perceptions of the servant leadership characteristics of one principal, while the Mohrman-Cooke-Mohrman Job Satisfaction Scale (MCMJSS) was utilized to measure their job satisfaction. Interviews were conducted with eight participants to gain more information related to the teacher's perception of this one principal and job satisfaction. Overall statistical analysis indicated no correlation between the teachers' perceptions of servant leadership characteristics of one principal and job satisfaction. The majority of the r values generated from the correlation of the OLA and the MCMJSS were greater than the level of significance of .05 (p value > &alpha;), indicating an acceptance of the null hypothesis. However, some domains of the teacher's perceptions of the servant leadership characteristics of one principal had significant, negative correlations to teacher job satisfaction. These included Displays Authenticity, Values People, Provides Leadership, and Shares Leadership. Findings from the in-depth interviews indicated that teachers wanted transparent and consistent leadership, and a principal who is approachable, authentic and who values the staff. Furthermore, teachers indicated they valued a comfortable and consistent school environment. The study may enhance principals' understanding of the perceptions teachers have about the way principals lead.</p>

<p> Three generations of Americans are currently coexisting in the workforce. One of the primary challenges for educational leaders is to understand the similarities and differences in each generation while also educating a new generation of Americans &ndash; today's youth. This longitudinal study used data from the General Social Survey to determine if generational work values differ in accord with the five general categories outlined by Twenge.</p><p> Several significant differences emerged. First, Millennials rate higher in work ethic over Boomers and GenXers. Additionally, a linear decline from Boomers to Millennials was found in intrinsic values, while Millennials were found to have the highest need for extrinsic values. Finally, a linear decline from Boomers to GenXers to Millennials was evident in relation to social values in the work setting.</p><p> The primary implication from this study involves the contradictory nature of Millennials. While they have the highest work ethic, they also rate highest in leisure values and the need for extrinsic values. Further research should be conducted to isolate values pertinent to teachers and a cross-sectional study should be conducted to determine value differences of the current workforce. </p>

<p> This qualitative study was designed to discover what community college trustees believe are the most effective leadership attributes. Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees were asked to list in, order of importance, the most effective community college board of trustee leadership attributes. The research questions emphasized the importance of the leadership attributes that occur when board trustees must complete community college goals given the recent increased student enrollment, despite diminished college budgetary resources. The theoretical framework of Stogdill (1974) was used for trait theory, Hersey, Blanchard and Dewey (2012) for situational leadership, and Burns (1978) for transformational leadership. The study examined the issue of increased student enrollment coupled with decreased community colleges' annual budgets. The slowing economy and legislative spending affected the State of California's budget, creating a deficit and appropriations challenge. The budgetary shortfalls negatively affected academia and student development programs. People depend on the community college system to receive a college education, obtain an AA degree, transfer to a university, or enter the workforce. In the literature review, a brief history of California community colleges is provided to illustrate how institutions of higher education and governing boards were established. As a needs assessment tool, Dr. Schmieder-Ramirez's (2001) SPELIT power matrix was particularly useful for capturing the driving forces at work at community colleges. The SPELIT power matrix helped to structure the literature review by making intelligible the social, political, economic, legal, intercultural, and technological environments of the community college system.</p>

<p> This quantitative study was conducted to examine the primary components of school leadership for 21st-century skills and knowledge integration. With the passing of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students, teachers, and administrators, the need for administrative leadership within the realm of technology is continually evolving and growing. The NETS based survey required teachers from three varying sized school districts, who have implemented a 1:1 student device initiative, to answer statements, using a Likert scale, about themselves and their principal. Survey statement data results were revealed using a Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient formula, scatter plots, and regression studies to investigate relationships between a teacher's use of 21st-century teaching skills and knowledge and his/her principal's use of 21st-century leadership skills and knowledge. Additionally investigated were what 21st-century leadership practices appear to be associated with the use of 21st-century instructional practices to effectively support teacher and student learning. This research project harvested surprising results that addressed perceptions of effective practices, characteristics, and leadership styles from the front line of learning and teaching, teachers; and, which are relevant to new mandates in education and applicable to the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), also referred to as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, for both teachers and administrators.</p>

Our fast-paced and seemingly ever-changing world is reflected in the transformations that are occurring in our school systems. Meeting the dynamic needs of all stakeholders in a school building’s ecosystem falls on the shoulders of the school principals. Employing capable leaders in this role is vital yet many countries do not require candidates for the position to have special qualifications. In addition, training programs that do exist have been subject to much criticism. Recently, suggestions for reform have been implemented and this study explored a newly mandated school leader training program to assess its perceived effectiveness. This qualitative research study contributes a missing link to current research into educational leadership training programs world-wide which tends to focus on educational reforms in Canada, the United States and Australia. Twelve Hungarian school principals, or directors as they are termed in their native land, were interviewed for this research and asked to share their personal formal and informal pre-service preparation and training experiences. The directors were also asked to provide their opinions regarding the relative value of different components of their compulsory School Leaders’ Training program. Findings support the theories presented in existing literature regarding effective school leader training programs using methods specifically targeted toward adult learners and add to the call for mandatory school administrator training and preparation.

<p>The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine teachers' perceptions of an association between principal leadership and their leadership competencies on a schools' culture. This paper explored teachers' perceptions of principal leadership and the health of the school culture. In a Southern California school district 835 teachers were e-mailed 2 surveys for a quantitative study, 68 participants completed the surveys. The first survey focused on teachers' perceptions of principal leadership competencies, which were identified in the literature. The other survey from Dr. Christopher Wagner (2006) focused on the health of the school culture. The survey included 4 teacher demographic variables: years of experience, gender, years at current school, and age. This study found a significant connection between teachers' perceptions of principal leadership and school culture using a Pearson correlation test. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge for education, and this paper focuses on teachers' perceptions of principal leadership.

<p> This qualitative study explored principals' leadership strategies and decision-making in literacy instruction. One-to-one interviews, a focus group, and a review of documents were the sources of data for the study. Themes emerging from the investigation were data-driven decision-making, asking essential questions, distributed leadership, modeling data use and literacy strategies, strategic communications, reflective leadership, focusing on instructional improvement and student achievement, structuring time to support literacy and use of data, and offering professional development opportunities. Findings from the study included principals not having an informed and consistent use of data instructional decision-making, and lacking training in literacy instruction. Recommendations for research include expanding the study to rural, charter, and private schools to ascertain principals' literacy instructional knowledge and data-driven decision-making that show high degrees of principal leadership across preK-12 schools.</p>