Leadership enlivens the school philosophy, mission, and vision and determines school climate and work culture. "Enculturating" principals are advised to envision a collaborative direction for the future, establish a clear mission/practice linkage, focus on solutions, be fair to others, foster staff development, create new networks, and…

School environment embodies not only the cultural norms and expectations as lived and experienced, but also that reality's perception by the school's "significant others." Article suggests schools must become self-renewing learning organizations committed to studying and mastering five disciplines: shared envisioning, personal mastery,…

The increasing number of acts of senseless destruction in the schools are costing money--to repair the damage, and to protect the schools from further damage. Cites some possible reasons for the vandalism, and offers some suggestions for improving the problem. (Editor)

It is a well-known fact that teacher morale has a direct reflection on the operation of the school. Yet, the authors state, teacher morale is too often placed at the bottom of the list of administrative priorities. (Editor)

Meaningful and lasting school improvement can only occur in an appropriate climate and must be characterized by commitment, solid research about collaborative working styles and outcome-based education, and stable leadership. Leaders in the school improvement process should be constantly prepared to deal with the unexpected. Includes three…

A study of 20 Vermont secondary principals and ex-principals examined what induced some to stay and many others to leave the profession. There are four significant issues: role definition; shifting power and authority; work relationships; and respect, recognition, and rewards. Survivors manage to maintain perspective, detach themselves, and escape…

The current standards movement cannot succeed unless a school's culture is committed to helping all students achieve excellence. Principals must build a schoolwide culture of quality focused on learning projects. Teachers should design projects backwards, using standards and assessment rubrics based on actual student products and performances.…