Preparing for Leadership Turnover in Christian Higher Education: Best Practices in Succession Planning

In the face of unprecedented disruption and complexity, the higher education sector appears to be largely underprepared for the projected exodus of senior-level administrators due to retirements and briefer tenures in leadership roles. Given that religiously affiliated institutions account for more than one in five colleges and universities in the United States, it is concerning that relatively few studies have addressed succession planning in this sector, and in Christ-centered higher education in particular. This article provides a review of the literature that has addressed the topic of succession planning and discusses the findings from a single-institution ethnographic case study that explored the culture of succession planning and leader development at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. The conceptual framework used in this study was developed through the dissertation research of C. L. Richards in 2009, and is referred to as the 5Cs Model: Strategies for Succession Planning in the Academy. Through a grounded theory study, Richards suggested five strategies leaders should consider as they approach succession planning in academic institutions: culture, champions, communication, competency-based, and continuous. The article then discusses succession planning as an effective process that presidents, boards, and senior leaders can use to intentionally develop a cadre of future leaders, highlighting the unique challenges and best practice opportunities of pursuing this strategy, and recommends several implications for practice in Christian higher education.     

Consonance and dissonance in a study abroad program as a catalyst for professional development of pre-service teachers

This research examines the experiences of elementary and early childhood pre-service teachers from the U.S. engaged in a month long study abroad internship program in England. Using data from participants written journals, we use a hermeneutic approach to interrogate their evolving sense of professional development and their understanding of cultural differences in the internship in England. Informed by a theoretical framework of consonance and dissonance (Cochran-Smith, M. (1991). Reinventing student teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 42(2), 104–118), the emerging themes were related to the school context, the teacher's role, the learners, the buildings, and the community. Implications are for planning and facilitation of pre-service teachers study abroad experiences are discussed.     

Women's Content

This paper describes the progress made by a school of social work toward integrating women's content into the curriculum using a feminist approach to organizing for change. The paper examines the steps taken in involving faculty and students in planning, research, and required institutional change. The resulting program is presented. Suggestions for other program planning integration projects are included.     

A Survey of MNC Succession Planning Effectiveness in China,Summer 2001

A survey based on Rothwell's (1994) Effective Succession Planning was administered to several worldclass multi‐national corporations (MNCs) operating in China. Subsidiary MNCs were found to have HRD succession planning problems. Responses regarding succession planning efforts and cultural issues were rigorously tested for significance. The organizational goals for total localization were found to be weak or absent.     

Teaching Writing to Students With Attention Deficit Disorders and Specific Language Impairment

Abstract

The self-regulated strategy development approach to instruction was used to help 3 middle school students who had learning problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and specific language impairment, learn a strategy for planning and writing expository essays. The composition strategy helped students to consider their topic in advance and to use text structure knowledge to develop 5-paragraph essays. Regular education teachers provided instruction to the target students in inclusive classrooms; special education teachers facilitated the writing program. A multiple-probe design across students (R. D. Horner & D. M. Baer, 1978) was used to assess the effects of the strategy. Instruction had a positive effect on the students' approach to writing and overall writing performance. Four weeks following instruction, students' papers remained improved and were still longer and more complete.     

The challenge of self-regulated learning in mathematics teachers' professional training

This study investigated mathematics teachers' professional knowledge among elementary school teachers exposed to a professional training program that either supported self-regulated learning (SRL) or offered no SRL support (no-SRL). The SRL support was based on the IMPROVE metacognitive self-questioning method that directs students' attention to understanding when, why, and how to solve problems (Kramarski and Mevarech, Am Educ Res J 40:281–310, 2003). Sixty-four Israeli elementary teachers participated in a month-long professional development program to enhance mathematical and pedagogical knowledge. The course was part of a 3-year professional development program sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Education. This mixed-method study included quantitative assessments of teachers' professional knowledge in mathematical problem solving for an authentic task based on Program for International Student Assessment's framework (Program for International Student Assessment, 2003) and in lesson planning, as well as qualitative interviews and videotaped observations of two teachers. Results indicated that teachers in the SRL program outperformed those in the no-SRL program on various problem solving skills (e.g., reflection and conceptual mathematical explanations) and lesson planning (e.g., task demands and teaching approach). Videotaped observations of actual teaching indicated that the SRL-trained teacher demonstrated more teaching practices that aimed to promote students' understanding and better supported students' regulation of their own learning, compared to the no-SRL-trained teacher. We discuss educational and practical implications.     

Farm owners’ reluctance to embrace family succession and the implications for extension: the case of family farms in New Zealand

Purpose: Despite the benefits of early planning for business succession, and plan implementation, many owners/managers fail to act expeditiously. Factors such as a reluctance to accept ageing, a concern over the risks involved and inappropriate objectives may be causative. This research moves towards explaining this reluctance and, consequently, suggesting ways to reduce the problem. Design/approach/methodology: Using the literature outlining the variables associated with succession, a hypothesis using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is developed to explain the differences between planned and actual asset transfer (using a structural equation model of the TPB). Data to explore the problem and test the model were obtained from a postal survey of 2300 New Zealand farms (36% response). Findings: The results show manager attitudes related to their personality and objectives are the main causes of reluctance. The financial benefits from successful succession also need determining to provide incentives. Practical applications: Support systems are required to modify farmer attitudes and consequently reduce the reluctance. Originality/value: This work presents one of the first attempts to quantify and systems model (using the TPB) the succession process in a rural setting, and provides clear conclusions on reducing succession reluctance. Theoretical implications: Farming is controlled by humans reinforcing that farm studies must include the personal aspects of the decision-makers.     

A structured career intervention program for academically challenged students

A study was carried out to test the effects of a 2-week structured intervention program on academically challenged students’ career development. A quasi-experimental study was designed using pre-tests, post-tests, and a control group approach to examine the effects of the intervention program. Data were collected from both the experimental and control groups. The test was carried out on eight schools in the state of Kedah in Malaysia. Eight school counselors were trained to facilitate the assignment to the experimental groups and to collect data. A total number of 335 students with low academic achievement participated in this study. This number included male (43.6 %) and female (56.4 %) students who were aged 15–16 and a half. Modes of measurement used consisted of a career planning inventory (measuring career planning skills), an academic learning motivation scale (measuring attitude toward academic learning), and an academic study skills test (measuring academic study competencies). Analysis was performed using t-tests and the multivariate analysis of variance to examine the differences in the mean scores. The results show that the sample’s career academic score improved significantly from the pre-test to the post-test. A simple regression analysis was also performed to see the effect of the intervention program on the three dependent variables, which revealed that the career intervention program has positive and significant effects on the three variables. However, further studies on the career program for academically challenged students are highly recommended to support the present study.     

Organizational planning and policy analysis: Combining theory with experiential learning

Planning is vital to the continued effectiveness of educational institutions. The course described in this paper succeeds in combining two crucial elements of a student's comprehension of the planning process: first, an overview of the strategic planning literature provides a theoretical underpinning; then, an experiential planning exercise reinforces and extends the student's appreciation for this complex process. This course focuses on the alternative futures approach to planning. This approach has the added benefits of linking a study of relevant developments in the real world, through the planning process, with strategy formulation for the simulated institution.He obtained his Ph.D. at the Florida State University in 1969. His research, writing, and teaching activities focus on using futures research methods in planning and policy analysis. David M. Brock is a doctoral student in higher education and a lecturer in business at North Carolina State University. His teaching and research activities focus on the areas of business strategy, consumer behavior, and applications of corporate strategic principles to colleges and universities.     

Succession planning and leadership development for school principals: comparing English and South African approaches

Succession planning has become increasingly important because of the shortage of headship applicants in England, and in many other countries. Leadership development is a central part of any succession planning strategy. This article compares the findings from two longitudinal studies, in England and South Africa, where the governments are seeking to improve the supply and quality of school principals, and links them to the literature. The article concludes that ensuring a good supply of able principals requires a proactive approach and should not be left to chance.     

Philosophical skepticism not relativism is the problem with the Strong Programme in Science Studies and with Educational Constructivism

The structure of David’s Bloor argument for the Strong Programme (SP) in Science Studies is criticized from the philosophical perspective of anti-skeptical, scientific realism. The paper transforms the common criticism of SP—that the symmetry principle of SP implies an untenable form of cognitive relativism—into the␣clear philosophical issue of naturalism versus Platonism. It is also argued that the concrete patterns of SP’s interest-explanations and its sociological definition of knowledge involve philosophical skepticism. It is claimed, then, that the most problematic elements of SP reside primarily in philosophical skepticism. It is also claimed that this sort of criticism can be directed against other more radical, versions of constructivism in science and science education studies.     

Teachers’ motivations for master’s degree programs in education in Israeli teacher training institutions and the implications for government policy-making concerning those programs

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to identify teachers’ motivations to study Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs offered by teachers’ training colleges. M.Ed. degree programs have become available in Israel since 2004, with a rapid increase since then in the number of colleges offering various programs and a consequent increase in the number of graduates. M.Ed. degrees follow one of two teaching approaches: (1) top-down/transmission of knowledge (2) bottom-up transformative studies to support teachers’ professional autonomy. The first approach complies with the policy of the Council for Higher Education (CHE). The other is promoted by the Israeli Ministry of Education as an integral part of teachers’ professional development. The study’s methodology included examining data from multiple sources: documentation concerning the academic programs, government policy statements, and surveys administered to teachers who had graduated successfully from M.Ed. programs over the past decade and are now working in the field. We found that after the first decade of M.Ed. courses in Israel, significantly more programs incline towards the bottom-up/transformative approach, aiming to promote individual, personal and professional development instead of adopting the transmission approach. Teachers prefer M.Ed. programs at universities that include research. Yet their motivation to study is primarily intrinsic motivation, whether they aspire to study at universities or at teachers’ training colleges. Results are pertinent for government planning of teachers’ professional development. Further study into the needs of teachers is required to endorse these conclusions.     

Exploring the Disciplined Nature of Self-Study Research in Teacher Education

This article reports a study of literacy instruction in our own elementary preservice program. It examines the views and practices of both the preservice faculty who teach literacy and a sample of graduates of the program during their first three years of teaching. The new teachers reported learning many things from their preservice program, including the importance of engaging learners, strategies for developing an inclusive class community, the names of high-quality works of children's literature, and a variety of general teaching strategies. However, there were gaps between what was taught and what the new teachers wanted to learn. The new teachers struggled with program planning, desired more direct instruction on developing a literacy program, and wanted closer links between theory and practice. The teacher educators tried to cover so much material that the new teachers were unable to develop a focused, coherent pedagogy. The authors describe how they are revising their courses in light of these findings, modifying their approach to preservice instruction, and giving priority to certain key aspects of teaching.     

The Reality of Sustaining Community-Based Sport and Physical Activity Programs to Enhance the Development of Underserved Youth: Challenges and Potential Strategies

Many community-based sport and physical activity programs take a positive youth development approach when operating in underserved communities around the world (Forneris, Whitley, & Barker, 2013). However, one of the biggest challenges for these programs is sustainability (Lindsey, 2008). The purpose of this article is to present the 3 authors’ experiences related to program sustainability when working with community-based sport and physical activity programs using a positive youth development approach in underserved communities. The authors describe the challenges faced with program sustainability, including ineffective development approaches, building strong relationships with community partners, knowledge translation, and securing funding. Also described are the strategies used to overcome these challenges, such as planning, capacity building, recruitment, and evaluation. This article is intended to stimulate more open and honest discussions about the realities of positive youth development program sustainability around the world.     

An innovative program for multihandicapped deaf students using the FSSI.

Teachers in public schools now have more students with more severe disabilities than they did in the past. Unfortunately, efforts to provide them with a quality education have been hampered by a lack of focused instructional planning. This article describes an innovative program developed for deaf multihandicapped students that has created an integrated focus for instruction. The organizing framework for the program incorporates the Functional Skills Screening Inventory, a domain referenced assessment of living and working skills. This structured approach enables teachers to identify current functional levels, develop meaningful short- and long-term objectives, and monitor student progress throughout their educational programs. It also facilitates long-range planning and evaluation of the instructional program on an ongoing basis.     

Program-Level Curriculum Planning: An Exploration of Faculty Perspectives on Two Different Campuses

This study explored faculty views about curriculum planning in academic programs. Using a semistructured format, researchers interviewed 59 faculty members at two very different campuses about their assumptions and the influences upon them as they work with colleagues in planning program curriculum. Although many of the same factors influence course and program planning, we observed that, compared to course planning, program planning is irregular (even infrequent), typically responds to a specific catalyst, and is more dependent upon a supportive institutional climate and leadership. We consider ways that institutional researchers can help provide a supportive climate for responsive and regular planning that will link planning and assessment more closely.     

From Dreams to Dollars: Joining the Theory of Planning with the Practicality of Budget to Maximize Both

The integrated online planning and budget development system at Baton Rouge Community College is an innovative approach to systematically link college strategic priorities and unit plan objectives with financial resources. Using two industry standards (Microsoft Access and Sungard Banner), a user-friendly program was developed that has facilitated input and feedback from all levels. This has successfully closed the gap often found between the two critical institutional functions of planning and budgeting.     

INTERGENERATIONAL EDUCATION AND SERVICE PROGRAMMING: A MODEL FOR SELECTION AND EVALUATION OF ACTIVITIES

The intergenerational approach is a proven method for education and service programming with older adults, children, and youth. However, the broad scope of intergenerational programming inherently makes it difficult to create general decision‐making processes or models for the selection of appropriate activities for diverse participants. We present a model for decision making in intergenerational programs that is adaptable to a wide variety of participant groups, sponsoring agencies, and program goals. The model emerged as we developed and conducted an intergenerational training program for caregivers of children and the frail elderly. It stresses the importance of involving all constituent groups in planning, delineates five program categories, and establishes four criterion levels for decision‐making regarding appropriate activities. The model will be useful to those planning and implementing intergenerational programs in a vareity of settings.     

RETHINKING FOOD UTILIZED AS MATERIALS FOR ART

ABSTRACT

Teaching mathematics in an early childhood program requires mathematical content knowledge and teacher self-efficacy, yet research has shown that early childhood educators often have negative attitudes towards mathematics and feel underprepared to teach mathematical concepts. The study reported here documents the reconceptualization of a graduate, preservice teacher education program, a program designed to address teacher anxiety and increase capacity to teach mathematics in a play-based early childhood setting. The study aimed to investigate: (1) the effectiveness of the mathematics component of the course in equipping teacher candidates to teach mathematics in early childhood, and (2) whether participation in the mathematics component of the course changed teacher candidates’ self-efficacy regarding mathematics. Findings show that both self-efficacy and content knowledge improved when teacher candidates had the opportunity to engage with play-based learning experiences that embed mathematical concepts. Furthermore, the focus on a learning trajectories approach supports the identification of developmental progression points in children’s emerging mathematical understanding, assisting with teacher candidates’ fine-grained observations, assessment of children’s learning, and authentic, individualized planning for learning.     

An empirical study of industrial engineering and management curriculum reform in fostering students’ creativity

The objective of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of a creativity-fostering program in industrial engineering and management (IE&M) curriculum reform. Fostering creativity in students has become a crucial issue in industrial engineering education. In a survey of previous studies, we found few on IE&M curriculum reform. In particular, no study has dealt directly with fostering students’ creativity. In this study, we propose an IE&M curriculum reform program. The core of this program is intended to enhance students’ creative problem solving ability. Based on this concept, three required courses were developed: industrial communication, creative problem solving, and scientific research methodology. To investigate the effectiveness of this curriculum reform program, we conducted a two-year follow-up study. One hundred seventy-seven IE&M undergraduates from Yuan-Ze University participated this study, and Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) were used to measure changes in their creativity. The results showed that the students, after completing this reformed curriculum program, had significantly improved their creativity.