In shared decision making (SDM), principals collaborate with teachers and sometimes parents to take actions aimed at improving instruction and school climate. While research on SDM outcomes is still inconclusive, the literature shows that SDM brings both benefits and problems, and that the principal is a key figure. This brief offers a sampling of…

This document describes the principal's role in supervising a teacher mentoring program. It provides tips for guiding mentors and describes the characteristics of a good mentor. For example, mentors working with a novice should focus on three areas--the classroom, emotional support, and practical applications. Three styles of mentoring include…

The purpose of this Bulletin is to clarify the intent of shared decision making (SDM) and explore its benefits, drawbacks, and implementation. It looks at how the principal's role changes in SDM, stresses the need for training, examines conditions that affect successful implementation of SDM, and offers ideas on how schools can concentrate on…

This bulletin explores the roles that various stakeholders have in systemic reform and offers some recommendations for action. Data were derived from a review of research on systemic education reform and interviews with four Oregon administrators. Chapter 1 provides a sampling of the diverse groups that are calling for reform and offers some of…

One of a series of practitioner-oriented newsletters, the document provides elementary school principals with strategies for stimulating greater community involvement in the schools. In light of the increasing numbers of community members without children in school (now about two-thirds of the population), the article describes an Ohio campaign…

This collection of articles examines the history of student development practices, reviews key issues that have emerged in the field, and proposes paths of action for the future. The volume includes: (1) "Student Development Philosophy: A Perspective on the Past and Future," by Terry O'Banion, which reviews the history of student development; (2)…

With adequate preparation, effort, and commitment, the school system's collective bargaining process can become an opportunity for management and employee organizations to resolve significant concerns. This paper recommends nine steps for a pragmatic approach to negotiations. (1) Prepare: Preparation includes reviewing the current collective…

One explanation for unexpectedly low stress levels among assistant principals may lie in "administrative attribution theory." The demand for school discipline by the public, school boards, teachers, and students should induce high levels of stress in assistant principals, because they are usually responsible for discipline enforcement,…

This guide is the sixth in a series of eleven generated in 1978 as the result of workshops that focused on peer training, a different approach to teaching. The workshops provided the opportunity for members of eleven identified role groups to work together with peers to examine the relationship between their specific role group and community…

This guide is the ninth in a series of eleven generated in 1978 as the result of workshops that focused on peer training, a different approach to teaching. The workshops provided the opportunity for members of eleven identified role groups to work together with peers to examine the relationship between their specific role group and community…

This document consists of the six issues of the "CSDC Newsletter" issued in 1990-1991. This publication offers professional information, articles, and research findings on questions relating to the work and role of academic department chairs. The first issue contains an article on chairs as faculty developers and their unique role in helping…

In May 1988, at the request of State Superintendent for Instruction John Folks, about 50 Oklahoma school superintendents, legislators, association executives, and state department staff met to discuss education and economic development linkages. Participants heard numerous speakers, including superintendents, business representatives, economists,…

The role of the principal in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect is discussed in this bulletin. Although all 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require educators to report cases in which they have knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, passage of legislation does not always lead to compliance.…

One of a series of practitioner-oriented newsletters, the document provides elementary school principals with information about school partnerships with business and industry. Based on a series of recent reports criticizing American schooling, the article recommends that schools form alliances with business and industry in teaching students, in…

One of a series of practitioner-oriented newsletters, the document provides elementary school principals with strategies for developing a school discipline code. The article recommends: (1) developing a written statement of school discipline policy; (2) launching the discipline policy at the beginning of the school year; (3) ensuring that…