MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE - THE PLACE OF A CARING ETHIC IN EDUCATIONAL-ADMINISTRATION

Drawing from a diverse body of literature, I develop a conceptual framework for understanding the place of a caring ethic in educational leadership. A definition of "caring" opens this work. In this section the goals of caring, its most appropriate context or environment, and three activities supported by this ethic are identified and discussed. The focus then shifts to three pressing administrative challenges: improving academic performance; ameliorating nonacademic, social problems; and developing new governance. Models of schooling and ethical assumptions that often permeate discussions of each are noted. Shortcomings of these perspectives-unless they are joined with an ethic of care-are identified, and values of placing caring at the center of administrative thinking and acting are examined.