Reports the results of a study that showed that a steady increase in teachers' negative perceptions of school climate was correlated with increased teaching experience. (JM)

Perceiving the need for change and then wanting to change are not enough, proclaims this writer, who suggests that schools recruit and assign a person full time to facilitate the change process while working with teachers. She describes the situation and the person. (Editor)

Emphasizes the negative impact of a sense of anonymity on students and outlines what a principal can do to improve the school climate for both teachers and students. (IRT)

Within a context of ambivalence and limited resources, school administrators are challenged to create conditions that enable gifted students to thrive. This article discusses how to create learning environments that stimulate talent development; illustrates how the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy created an environment that fosters deep…

One high school principal gained a new perspective on his small school by donning an outsider's hat and visiting school grounds, hallways, and classrooms and noting areas needing improvement. Ideas for helping principals of small schools improve school climate, physical plant attractiveness, and overall educational excellence are discussed. (MLH)

Solution-focused counseling (SFC) brings a positive, competency-based perspective to problems experienced by individuals and organizational systems. Instead of looking for what is wrong and how to fix it, this approach discovers what is already working and investigates how to use it. SFC employs five principles: a salutary centerpiece, exceptional…

A survey of Indiana secondary school administrators indicated that the most effective reactive discipline methods were alternative schools, suspensions, and Saturday schools. The least effective was detention. The number one problem was student tardiness. Larger schools had more students involved with gang activity, drug use, and vandalism. The…

Reviews contents of "Safe Schools: A Handbook for Practitioners" (1994), produced by NASSP and Dyncorp. Part one introduces the first comprehensive methodology for identifying a school's security problems, evaluating potential solutions, and creating an implementation plan. The second part includes the tools, worksheets, and surveys needed to…

Research review suggests that parent involvement in middle school and high school has positive effect on the academic success of students. Proposes strategies for middle and high school principals to recruit parent and community volunteers and to train teachers to work with volunteers. (Contains 23 references.) (PKP)

If a principal is to serve others effectively, he must first serve himself. A program is outlined for personal health and well-being. (Author/MLF)

Steps for integrating energy education into the curriculum. (Author/MLF)

Stress, which is closely related to change and to illness, is a major problem for school administrators. A formula for measuring stress and some strategies for dealing with it are offered here. (Author)

Many teachers indicate they would appreciate more administrator feedback about their classroom performance but don't receive it. Principals must take the time and effort to help teachers improve their instructional skills. Presents four findings from research on administrator feedback. Includes six references. (Author/MD)

Teaching buying skills was once based on evaluating products on a cost/quality and individual need comparison. Changes make this inappropriate today. Students must consider the social, economic, and political implications of their choices. (MD)

A San Jose high school's campaign to develop student pride in the school and its appearance includes publicity measures, painting garbage cans in school colors, and cafeteria supervision. Results in diminishing acts of vandalism have been encouraging. (MJL)