PREPARING ADMINISTRATORS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF

This paper describes the preliminary research, developmental process, pilot program, and midpoint evaluation of the restructured Educational Leadership Academy for entry-level school administrators and other school leaders at Pepperdine University. Twenty years ago, Los Angeles Unified School District and Pepperdine University established the first joint university/school district leadership academy for the development of entry-level school administrators in California. Over time, approximately 40 percent of the graduates have been members of ethnic minorities and 80 percent have been women. The academy's mission is to prepare leaders who are capable of and committed to creating and leading schools that work for all members of a diverse society. The pilot program (1994-95) is based on assumptions that: (1) exemplary practice, theory, and research are related; (2) quality, an outcome-driven systems approach, and sound personal values are essential to understanding leaflership; and (3) a technological approach is essential for educational leadership. Teaching strategies include team teaching, cooperative learning, peer and self assessment, case studies, and individualized learning. (Contains 10 references.) (LMI) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document