Discusses 15 effective strategies for dropout prevention identified by the National Dropout Prevention Center, plus a specific set of six program solutions and strategies as alternatives to grade retention. Describes the center's promotion-with-purpose policy, along with exemplar programs for school leaders to use in designing alternatives to…

Desirable elements of middle school organization are explained here and skills essential for the middle school principal are discussed. The suggested training program includes a supervised internship based on performance objectives, use of simulation techniques, and plans for continued inservice. (Editor)

Outlines the steps a "lighthouse" principal took in turning an ineffective school characterized by low morale, poor achievement, and high absentee rates into an effective school with high morale and improved student achievement during a six-month period. (MD)

Offers advice to schools that need to provide adequate health care for student athletes without benefit of a certified athletic trainer. Covers written policy concerning athletic trauma, maintenance of playing fields, medical records and consent forms, and equipment needed for injury prevention and care. Includes samples of forms and procedures.…

Describes a midwestern high school's serious student publications program. Over the past 20 years, students here have published major stories on incest, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, cheating, divorce, fatal illness, and other topics without prepublication scrutiny by the principal. Recommendations are provided to ensure fair coverage, relevant…

Administrators can provide education, guidance, support services that encourage noncustodial parents to remain involved with their children academically and socially. Except when limited by legal documents, school policies must be designed to treat all parents equally, regardless of marital status. Children of divorce need to know that both…

Discusses how numerous legal sources (Constitutional, federal, state, local, and common law) affect everyday public school operations. Fields 10 questions regarding written and legally sound rules, common rules for district schools, board approval of club bylaws and activities, "in loco parentis," legal image, employee assignments,…

Reviews the social and educational problems caused by drug abuse. Poses policy questions that must be asked when developing school drug use policies and cites examples of the successful implementation of drug policies in two schools. Identifies critical aspects of the drug prevention curriculum. Urges cooperation between schools and local…

As part of a high school in-service program, the entire staff made a commitment to a series of school-wide policies. The next step was the identification of individual classroom expectations, followed by an individual classroom contract that informed the student what was really important to the teacher. (Author/MLF)

Homeroom "power" (the capability to affect students' feelings, attitudes, or behaviors) varies by meeting frequency and length, amount of student turnover, faculty members' length of assignment with one group of students, and number of allotted tasks. Homerooms can be revived to promote a communitarian spirit and serve students' need for…

Pete Gameros's recent study examined effective principals' roles and attitudes toward providing services to students with disabilities. As inclusive principals, study participants accepted the ownership of all students, supported inclusive placement decisions, promoted a policy specifying all school personnel's responsibility for disabled…

Induction programs should be designed to reflect school administrators' unique learning needs. Effective induction programs have three critical components: preprogram planning, mentoring, and program evaluation. Planning involves establishing a school board policy, conducting a preliminary needs assessment, specifying goals, identifying needed…

This article describes 12 major components--grouped into philosophical, organizational, and operational categories--that should be included in planning and initiating an effective school discipline system. (Author/JW)

Results of a study involving over 800 secondary schools; data presented in tables. (SP)

Principals should allow teacher input into decision making in appropriate areas and be clear about exactly which areas these are. (JM)