My experience as a high school principal in three school districts in Missouri has had a deep and lasting influence on my research interests. After a couple of years teaching principal certification courses, reading the literature on school leadership, and reflecting on my experience as a school principal three interrelated and interdependent research themes emerged. Theme one considers how changes in law and society influences the decision-making of campus leaders. Theme two considers how school leaders should act in an ethical and defensible manner. Theme three considers how departments of educational leadership should go about the process of preparing principal licensure candidates for the challenges of campus leadership. These themes are interrelated and interdependent on at least three intersecting points. My experience walking the walk of campus leadership helps me to understand the complexity and nuances of campus leadership. This experience provides grounding in understanding how changes in law and society impact the campus leadership role. This experience also helps me to relate theory to practice and guide principal licensure candidates in thinking about how school leaders should act in an ethical manner and publicly defend their decisions. Lastly, this experience provides a fundamental understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for success in what many consider to be the most difficult job in education today. The interconnection of my campus leadership experience, an understanding of how theory relates to practice, my interest in how school leaders should act in an ethical and defensible manner, and my interaction with school leadership candidates through teaching has culminated in a textbook entitled Law and Ethics in Educational Leadership (2007) published by Merrill-Prentice Hall, and a second book entitled Leadership for School Safety: Linking Theory to Practice scheduled for publication in the fall or early winter of 2007, and numerous refereed and invited journal articles.
Stader, D. L. & Kallison, J. (2009). Final evaluation report: The effectiveness of 2008 High School Summer Bridge Programs. (Report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board). Austin, TX: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Category: Research Report
2009
Stader, D. L. & Kallison, J. (2009). Final evaluation report: The effectiveness of 2008 Intensive Summer Bridge Programs. (Report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board). Austin, TX: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Category: Research Report
2008
Kallison, J. & Stader, D. L. (2008). Final evaluation report: 2007 high school summer bridge program. (Report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board). Austin, TX: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Category: Research Report
2007
Stader, D. L. (2007). Law and ethics in educational leadership. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. ISBN 0131119818 Category: Book
2007
Stader, D. L. (2007). Leadership for school safety: Linking theory to practice. Contract with Christopher-Gordon Publishers for winter 2009 publication date. Category: Book Contract
Presentations and Projects
AERA Annual Meeting 2009
Stader, D. L., Kallison, J., Graca, T. J., Zungia, R., and Stover, C. (2009). Effectiveness of Summer Bridge Programs in enhancing college readiness. Paper accepted for presentation at the 2009 AERA Annual Meeting.
AERA Annual Meeting 2009
Stader, D. L. , Meyer, E., and Graca, T. J. (2009). Sexual minority youth and the First Amendment. Paper accepted for presentation at the 2009 AERA Annual Meeting.
Intensive Summer Bridge and High School Summer Bridge - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 2008
Stader, D. L. (2008, November). Observations from the site visits. Paper presented to the 2008 Intensive Summer Bridge and High School Summer Bridge funded site managers. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Austin, TX.
54th Annual Education Law Association Conference 2008
Stader, D. L. (2008, November). A new test for teachers. Paper presented at the 54th Annual Education Law Association Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
Annual Meeting of the National Network for Education Renewa 2008
Kallison, J. M., Jr.. & Stader, D. L. (2008, September). Effectiveness of High School Summer Bridge programs in Texas. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Network for Education Renewal, Arlington, Texas. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the National Network for Education Renewal, Arlington, Texas.
Linking leadership competencies to student outcomes: A pilot study 2008
Basham, M. & Stader, D. (2008, September). Is it possible to compare apples to oranges? Linking leadership competencies to student outcomes: A pilot study.
54th Annual Education Law Association Conferenc 2008
Stader, D. L. (2008, November). A new test for teachers. Paper presented at the 54th Annual Education Law Association Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
Annual NCPEA Conference 2007
Stader, D. L. (2007, July). A Social Justice Framework. Paper presented at the Annual NCPEA Conference, Chicago, Ill.
Annual NCPEA Conference 2007
Stader, D. L. & Graca, T. J. (2007, July). Discourse Ethics as a Model for Improving the Problem-Framing of Educational Leadership Candidates. Paper presented at the Annual NCPEA Conference, Chicago, Ill.
53rd Annual Education Law Association Conference 2007
Stader, D. L. (2007, November). Integrating ethics into the study of school law. Paper presented at the 53rd Annual Education Law Association Conference, San Diego, California.
52nd Annual Education Law Association Conference 2006
Stader, D. L. & Meyer, E. (2006, October). Sexual minority youth and the culture wars: Out of the closest and drafted into battle. Paper presented at the 52nd Annual Education Law Association Conference, Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Annual AREA Conference 2006
Stader, D. L. & Graca, T. J. (2006, April). Sexual minority youth and school culture: A study of educational leadership candidates’ perceptions of Dallas-Fort Worth Area secondary schools. Paper presented at the Annual AREA Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Annual University Council of Educational Administration Conference 2005
Stader, D. L. & Lowe, J. (2005, November). Resolving issues of conflicting interests. Paper presented at the Annual University Council of Educational Administration Conference. Nashville, TN.
51st Annual Education Law Association Conference 2005
Stader, D. (2005, November). School district liability for student sexual orientation harassment: A revisit. Paper presented at the 51st Annual Education Law Association Conference, Memphis, TN.
3rd Annual Virginia Commonwealth Education Law Conference 2005
Graca, T. & Stader, D. (2005, April). Double, double toil and trouble: Student speech and the Internet. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Virginia Commonwealth Education Law Conference, Norfolk, VA.
50th Annual Education Law Association Conference 2004
Stader, D. & Funkhouser, C. (2004, November). School district liability for peer-on-peer sexual orientation harassment. Paper presented at the 50th Annual Education Law Association Conference, Tucson, AZ.
9th Annual Values and Leadership Conference 2004
Stader, D. (2004, September/October). Leadership Matters: Applying Legal and Ethical Principles to Decision-making. Paper presented at the 9th Annual Values and Leadership Conference, Christ Church, Barbados.
Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association 2004
Hill-Winstead, F. & Stader, D. (2004). Responding to the challenge of reforming leadership preparation programs: A standards-based preparation pyramid. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, California
59th Annual ASCD Conference 2004
Stader, D. (2004, March). Applying the ELCC legal and ethical standards to practice. Paper presented at the 59th Annual ASCD Conference, New Orleans, LA.
15th Annual AASA Conference within a Conference 2004
Stader, D. & Lowe, J. (2004, February). Improving school leader candidate decision-making skills. Paper presented at the 15th Annual AASA Conference within a Conference, San Francisco, CA.
15th Annual AASA Conference within a Conference 2004
Keller, G. & Stader, D. (2004, February). Louisiana school board member’s perceptions of the critical skills for superintendent success: A preliminary study. Paper presented at the 15th Annual AASA Conference within a Conference, San Francisco, CA.
27th Annual Southwest Educational Research Association 2004
Stader, D. & Ausbrooks, C. (2004, February). Mission, vision, and the leadership matrix: Guiding the clarification of school leader candidate dispositions. Workshop presented at the 27th Annual Southwest Educational Research Association, Dallas, TX.
27th Annual Southwest Educational Research Association 2004
Stader, D. (2004, February). Improving the problem solving skills of school leader candidates: A preliminary study. Paper presented at the 27th Annual Southwest Educational Research Association, Dallas, TX.
49th Annual Education Law Association Conference 2003
Stader, D. (2003, November). Zero tolerance: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Paper accepted for presentation at the 49th Annual Education Law Association conference, Savannah, GA.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration 2003
Berube, W. & Stader, D. (2003, August). Using the leadership matrix as a framework for clarifying dispositions and reflection: A preliminary study. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, Sedona, AZ.
ASCD Annual Conference 2003
Stader, D. (2003, March). Conflict mediation, social justice, and caring communities. Paper presented at the ASCD Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
14th Annual AASA Conference within a Conference 2003
Stader, D. (2003, February). Clarifying dispositions: A study of administrator candidate perceptions. Paper presented at the 14th Annual AASA Conference within a Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Annual Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Administration 2003
Keller, G. & Stader, D. (April, 2003). Board member perceptions of critical superintendent skills: A study in progress. Paper presented at the annual Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Administration, Hosted by Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA.
Annual Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Administration 2003
Stader, D. (April, 2003). A framework for reflection and clarifying dispositions: An interim study. Paper presented at the annual Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Administration, Hosted by Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA.
48th Annual Education Law Association Conference 2002
Stader, D., Armenta, T., & Hill, M. (2002, November). Education and Religion in Louisiana. Paper presented at the 48th Annual Education Law Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 2002
Stader, D. & Hill, F. (2002, August). The Southeastern Louisiana University principal preparation pyramid. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 2002
Echols, C. & Stader, D. (2002, August). A look at administrators’ attitudes about diversity and multiculturalism in the Florida Parishes. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 2002
Stader, D. & Hill-Winstead, F. (2002, August). Integrating curriculum and electronic portfolios in principal preparation. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
ASCD Annual Conference 2002
Stader, D. & Francis, D. (2002, March). Are we slamming the schoolhouse gate? Paper presented at the ASCD Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. This was a ticketed session.
Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Administration annual Spring Conference 2002
Hill, F., Armenta, T., & Stader, D. (2002, March). The Southeastern pyramid for leadership design. Paper presented at the Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Administration annual Spring Conference, Lafayette, LA.
Annual National Rural Education Association Conference 2001
Lowe, J. & Stader, D. (2001, October). Rural school superintendents: Balancing system & lifeworld of the school to enhance achievement. Paper presented at the annual National Rural Education Association Conference, Albuquerque, NM.
UCEA Annual Conference 2001
Stader, D. & Neely, R. (2001, October). Portfolios for professional growth and documenting ISLLIC standards. Paper presented at the UCEA Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 2001
Stader, D. & Neely, R. (2001, August). Portfolios and the professional development of aspiring principals. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Houston, TX.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 2001
Stader, D. & Lowe, J. (2001, August). Body of evidence: An alternative to high stakes testing? Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Houston, TX.
Annual Wear School Law Institute VIII 2001
Stader, D. (2001, August). Student searches, urinalysis, and dog sniffs. Paper presented at the annual Wear School Law Institute VIII, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Annual University Council for Educational Administration Convention 2000
Stader, D. & Moore, A. (2000, November). High school reform in Wyoming. Paper presented at the annual University Council for Educational Administration Convention, Albuquerque, NM.
ASCD Annual Conference 2000
Stader, D. & Gagnepain, F. J. (2000, March). Using student assistance programs to reduce school violence. Paper presented at the ASCD Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA. This presentation was featured in the promotional literature.
Annual Wear School Law Institute VII 2000
Stader, D. & Diller, B. (2000, August). Student threats. Paper presented at the annual Wear School Law Institute VII, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Second Joint National School/Community Conference on Youth Violence and Substance Abuse 1999
Stader, D. & Johnson, J. (1999, November). Reducing violence in the high school. Paper presented at the Second Joint National School/Community Conference on Youth Violence and Substance Abuse, Kissimmee, Florida. This presentation was featured in the promotional literature.
annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 1999
Stader, D. & Johnson, J. (1999, August). Missouri’s A+ schools: A legislative attempt to stimulate reform. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Jackson, WY.
Annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference 1999
Stader, D. & DeSpain, B.C. (1999, August). Block scheduling in Missouri: A study of administrator and teacher perceptions. Paper presented at the annual National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Conference, Jackson, WY.
Annual AASA Conference 1999
Heeney, M. & Stader, D. (1999, February). Applied academics: The vision versus implementation. Paper presented at the annual AASA Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Annual National High School Association National Conference 1998
Stader, D. (1998, January). Restructuring the small high school. Paper presented at the annual National High School Association National Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Building Bridges for Missouri’s Future 1997
Stader, D. & Crutchley, T. (1997, October) Using A+ to restructure the high school. Paper presented at the 1997 Building Bridges for Missouri’s Future, Lake Ozarks, MO.
Affiliations
Professional Memberships
2004-Present, American Education Research Association
1999-Present, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
2002-Present, Education Law Association
1999-Present, National Association of Secondary School Principals
1999-2003, 2007-Present, National Council of Professors of Educational Administration
1981-1999, Missouri Secondary Principals’ Association
1981-2001, Southeast Missouri Secondary Principals’ Association
Appointments
Duration
Rank
Department / School
College / Office
University / Company
2008-Present
Associate Professor
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
College of Education
University of Texas at Arlington
2003-2008
Assistant Professor
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
College of Education
University of Texas at Arlington
2001-2003
Assistant Professor
Education Leadership
Southeastern Louisiana University
1999-2001
Assistant Professor
Educational Leadership
University of Wyoming
1988-1999
Principal
Crystal City High School
1982-1988
Principal
Blair Oaks High School
1979-1982
Principal
Gideon High School
Synergistic Activities
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
2007-2010 Student Judicial Affairs, Hearing Officer 2006-2009 Member, Institutional Review Board (IRB), University of Texas at Arlington 2006-2008 Member and Chairperson, Parking Appeals Panel, 2006-2008, University of Texas at Arlington 2004-2008 Member Faculty Senate, University of Texas at Arlington Faculty Senate Equity Committee Membership, 2005-2007 Faculty Senate Ethics Committee Membership, 2005-2007 2002- 2004 University Student Conduct Hearing Board, Southeastern Louisiana University.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
2008-2010, Member, College Hearing Panel, University of Texas at Arlington 2008-2010, Member, College Tenure and Promotion Committee, University of Texas at Arlington 2004-2005 Member, College-Wide Curriculum Committee, University of Texas at Arlington 2004-2006 Member, Committee on Student Affairs, University of Texas at Arlington 2004-2006 Member, College of Education Dean’s Faculty Advisory Group, University of Texas at Arlington 2002-2006 Chairperson, NCATE Standard 6: Governance and Resources, Southeastern Louisiana University 2001-2004 Member of the College of Education new faculty committee, Southeastern Louisiana University
DEPARTMENT SERVICE
2007-2008, Chair, Search Committee, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy, University of Texas at Arlington. 2006-2007, Chair, Search Committee, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy, University of Texas at Arlington. 2006-2008 Member, PhD admissions committee, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy, University of Texas at Arlington. 2004-2006 Member, department faculty search committee, University of Texas-Arlington. 2003-2004 Member, department faculty search committee, University of Texas-Arlington. 2001-2004 Chairperson of the principal preparation program redesign committee, Southeastern Louisiana University. 2002-2003 Member of departmental faculty search committee, Southeastern Louisiana University 1999-2000 Member of departmental faculty search committee, University of Wyoming
SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION
2001-Present Member of the board of consulting editors, The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues, and Ideas. 2002-Present Member, Editorial Review Board member NCPEA Educational Leadership Review 2002-2003 Member, editorial review board, The Journal of At-Risk Issues. 2002-2003 Member of the editorial review board, NASSP Bulletin.
STATE COMMITTEES
2000-2001, Member, Wyoming NCA State Committee 1996-97, President, Southeast Missouri Principals’ Association 1991-1996, Member, Leadership Board, Southeast Missouri Principals’ Association
Support
Duration
Title
Sponsor
Amount
Status
2009
The Development of a Functional Proof of Concept Computer-Based Simulation Game to Improve the Critical Thinking and Problem Framing Skills of Practicing Principals
National Center for Education Research
$2,400,000
Pending
2008
Statewide Program Evaluation HS Summer Bridge/Intensive Summer Bridge Program
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
$99,800
Current
2008
The Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District sponsored Growing Aspiring Principals (GAP) program. Fort Worth ISD was awarded $3,565,725 over five years to recruit, select, train, plane, and retain four cohorts of 15 highly-qualified individuals
Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District
$3,565,725
Current
2008
Can we link student outcomes to leadership competencies and employee turnover? A quantitative study of K-12 educational leadership in Texas
A grant proposal to the National Center for Education Research
The
Principalship will address the role of the campus leader in the
leadership, organization and administration of schools. The importance
of campus culture, climate, vision and ethics will be stressed
throughout standards-based instruction, case studies, developmental
activities, readings, reflections and field experiences. The importance
of appropriate principal induction will be stressed along with the
concepts of the principal as scholar-practitioner and proactive leader.
An emphasis will be placed on continuous school improvement and a
commitment to professional development.
Download Syllabus (54KB. This syllabus was uploaded Friday 23rd, January 2009 09:58:05 AM and is subject to change.)
Contact Information Hammond Hall, #TH 119 Phone: 817-272-7269 Email: dstader@uta.edu
University Council of Educational Administration 2007 Paula Silver Award for “The Bayou High School Blues” the best case in a volume of the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership.
Book Reviews
Book Review (2006). Diversity in educational settings, Allyn & Bacon, Needham Heights, MA. Book Review (2000, April). Educational reconciliation: A new vision for educational controversy, Allyn & Bacon, Needham Heights, MA. Book Review (1999, November) The Human Relations Dimensions in Educational Leadership, Allyn & Bacon, Needham Heights, MA
Important Disclaimer: The responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained on these pages lies with the authors and user providing such information.
Faculty Profile
Box 19227, Arlington, Texas 76019 
Hammond Hall 
817-272-7269 
817-272-2127 
