The high schools in Framingham, Massachusetts, use the Framingham Interagency Rehabilitation Model as an alternative to taking students accused of first-time offenses against major school discipline regulations to court. The process involves a quasijudicial hearing, court followup of student progress, and cooperation among several school and…

A review of some of the factors determining the effectiveness of the principal as an instructional leader over the past three decades provides background to a consideration of the current national reform movement, and related cautions and challenges for the principal. (DCS)

Presents research-based guidelines for improving instruction. Areas treated include planning, teaching method and style, classroom management, student-teacher relationships, and conditions that inhibit good teaching. (MCG)

Among suggestions for success in the changing post of the assistant principalship is to bring to the job a dedication to learning, a belief in the purpose of education, and a friendly disposition. Assistant principals can counter job stress through collegiality, self-fulfillment in their job, self-analysis, and self-assessment. (MJL)

Noting that listening skills can and must be learned by the successful principal, this article defines the skills and levels of productive listening, lists strategies frequently used that create barriers to effective listening, and outlines processes of active and directed listening. (MJL)

The woman who wishes to become a school administrator must be prepared to face considerable opposition. She must cope with school attitudes, social inequalities, and possibly an unsupportive spouse. (Editor)

Major elements of a public relations program for enlisting community support for the school are discussed. Administrators are advised to develop a nose for news, improve their journalistic writing, and get to know the local press. (MJL)

The Miamisburg (Ohio) City School District found that--through clarification of administrative style, definition of responsibilities, and acceptance by other administrators--the associate principal is a more effective school leader, administrative team member, and community liaison than is the usual assistant principal. (Author/RW)

Describes a framework for moving from the general school effectiveness factors to specific practices and behaviors focusing on strong leadership by the principal. Outlines the general functions of instructional leadership, then narrows to one function, monitoring student progress, and derives specific principal behaviors. (MLF)

Before engaging in supervisory conferences with teachers following lesson observations, administrators should plan strategically by considering the psychological context of the conference and by reviewing carefully the data on the teacher's performance. (PGD)

Presents a checklist for determining the presence in individual schools of the characteristics determined by research to be typical of effective schools. Suggests ways of improving schools by using the checklist, which covers administrator and teacher behaviors and instructional program characteristics. (PGD)

Describes the characteristics and effectiveness of the I/D/E/A Principals' Inservice Program, in which principals form collegial support groups to encourage one another in planning and implementing personal professional development and school improvement projects and in committing themselves to permanent programs of continuous improvement. (PGD)

Presents and explains how to use a checklist for helping principals determine the presence of effective elements in their schools' staff development programs. The checklist process involves testing such program factors as school commitment levels, needs assessment components, program development activities, program implementation and evaluation,…