Principals play a vital role in setting the direction for successful schools. With the emphasis on preparing highly qualified school leaders for the 21 st century, this article investigated aspiring school leaders' and their perception of preparedness to serve as instructional leaders, talent and organizational system managers. Particularly, the findings explore how various factors are associated with improving future school leaders' readiness to effectively carryout critical leadership responsibilities. The article concludes with recommendations for developing a well-designed educational leadership training program that prepares and supports future school leaders for an ever changing world.

This study explores the transformation of pre-service teachers in their attainment of effective teaching skills. Pre-service teachers learn about the learning-to-read process and implementations of component skills of teaching reading within the practicum. More importantly, pre-service teachers achieve a meaningful understanding of the declarative, procedural and strategic knowledge of working with struggling readers as well as the merits, utilities and appropriate applications of important literacy skills. Through reflecting, rehearsing, and revising teaching/learning practices, pre-service teachers are able to augment scripted Direct Instruction curriculum to improve student reading performance, and further generate meaningful learning gains that promote sustainability for themselves and their students.

No abstract

This qualitative study was exploratory in nature and involved the collection and analysis of data from Single Black fathers in Northern California raised without a father in the home. Fathers in our study shared that they navigate their roles as single fathers through trial and error and by making a personal commitment to do what is necessary for the well-being of their children; they refuse to allow obstacle to get in their way of their effort to be a responsible, caring father. The absence of their fathers was a prevalent factor that increased the devotion they have for their children.