The job of the school principal has become much more complex and demanding over the past several decades. Many university-based principal preparation programs--which prepare the majority of school principals--have struggled with how to make the fundamental changes needed to prepare principals for today's schools. To test a path forward, The…

The publication is advice designed to help employers in all schools with staffing and employment issues, and to inform their decision making. It advises on matters contained within the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009 for maintained schools and for independent schools, which include academies and free schools, the Education (Independent…

The reauthorization of the U.S. Elementary and Secondary Education Act, referred to as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), emphasizes evidence-based initiatives while providing new flexibilities to states and districts with regard to the use of federal funds, including funds to promote effective school leadership. In response, state and…

Educators love to say it takes a village to raise a child. This task is accomplished through the skills, talents, and support of good teachers. This manual is designed to help school administrators help their teachers and students reach their maximum potential. It contains tools, tips, and guidelines that school leaders around the nation use to…

Current research suggests principal effectiveness is key to a successful instructional program. However, there is considerable lack of uniformity among superintendents regarding principal recruitment and selection. Of the 80 surveys mailed to a random sample of the nation's superintendents, 35 usable surveys rating the importance of 42 recruitment…

To enhance their district's chances of hiring superior principals, Nanuet (New York) Public Schools developed an intensive administrator selection process involving careful job descriptions reflecting school objectives, checklists of desirable professional experiences, an "action interview," and structured visits to finalists' school…

Three urban school principals from the US have described their efforts to turn around their performing schools and create sustainable leadership. They describe about the challenges they had faced while reorganizing the school, recruiting new teachers, spending extra time on teacher evaluations and remaining the instructional leader.

Describes Fairfax County Public Schools' (Virginia) "pay for performance" program for teachers. With solid financial and community support, the district overcame merit pay resistance and obstacles to professionalism by lowering education course requirements, raising academic discipline requirements, creating master teachers, and…

High school principals should make every effort to encourage student and staff participation in extracurricular activities. Out-of-class activities provide a forum where students can learn valuable leadership training and obtain skills useful for their future. Jim Sabard, in "Student Council Advisors: Let the Students Shine," offers suggestions to…

Foreign language teachers need to provide students and administrators with a more accurate understanding of the nature and value of language programs if the programs are to successfully compete for enrollment. A survey of principals in Minnesota provided data reinforcing these views. (PGD)

School principals are asked nowadays to be a curriculum manager, staff motivator and evaluator, business manager, public-relations representative, safety expert, disciplinarian, site manager, and the list goes on. This resource contains a broad array of tools and information, including exhibits, forms, handouts, and charts that can be used to…

Principals of all 14,107 middle-level schools in the U.S. were invited to participate in the year 2000 online survey. More than 1,400 responded. Responses are compared with previous studies conducted in 1965; 1980, and 1992. Discusses the implications and recommendations for recruiting, initial training, and continuing professional development of…

This report synthesizes research on attracting and maintaining quality teachers in a profession increasingly labeled mediocre, reviews pertinent literature, and suggests ways principals can motivate teachers, and makes recommendations for reducing current science and math shortages. Those entering the teaching profession are no longer drawn…

This news brief presents information on managing substitute teaching. The information is based on issues discussed at a summit meeting which included public school administrators and personnel directors from around the nation. The main topics of concern focused around four core components related to the management of substitute teaching:…

An interim principal can buy a school district time to land a permanent successor. Also lists where to find an interim principal; the interim's steadying influence; Bob Wallace's wild ride as an interim principal in post-retirement; and Roger Prosise's rationale for turning to an interim appointment. (MLF)