Special education is the most highly litigated area within the field of education. Therefore, the purpose of the current article is to highlight cases (court decisions, Office of Civil Rights rulings, and State Educational Agency hearings) involving students with disabilities in 2015. Highlights from the case law point to the need for school…

Outlines the duties of English department heads and what their areas of expertise ought to be. (Author/JM)

School administrators can work to develop leadership competencies in department heads, including the ability to encourage and assist fellow teachers. Suggestions for further reading are offered. (MJL)

The role of social studies chairmen, as revealed in a survey of more than 200 in the area covered by the North Central Association, is depicted. The writers conclude that chairmen can provide instructional leadership but that they need support and authority to initiate this leadership. (Editor)

Describes a way one principal involved teachers in the selection of a department head, by the appointment of a selection committee. (JM)

Presents a plan that extends current teaching practices through a strategy that increases teacher salaries without the use of merit pay. (MD)

De-departmentalizing the high school into smaller integrated quads would make possible the necessary frequent review and revision of the curriculum and facilitate change with greater ease. Inflexibility could give way to creativity and provide a humanistic environment to meet the needs of adolescents. (Author)

Recent research shows that the department-head position represents an underutilized source of instructional leadership in secondary schools. To increase department-head participation, principals are advised to heed school tradition, follow employment policy guidelines, determine boundaries, consult involved staff, prepare job descriptions, provide…

Four specific areas of activity are necessary for school guidance leadership: program development, communications, organization and coordination, and supervision and evaluation. These areas are discussed and a sample job description for the guidance director is presented. (Author/WD)

Based on a study of change facilitation in eight high schools, this article debunks three common myths concerning administrative organization as an obstacle to managing high school change. Tentative guidelines are provided to help determined managers cure stagnation and thwart bureaucratic intransigency. (MLH)

Describes the development of ongoing, clearly defined, and structured problem-solving and shared decision-making machinery that has upgraded the role and importance of intermediate supervisors with concomitant benefits in their morale and their contributions to the school at large. (Author/IRT)

Includes a model evaluation form. (IRT)

Discusses the process of writing as a way of learning and "Writing across the Curriculum Programs." Outlines the program developed at Williamson High School in Alabama that successfully trained the English department to serve as consultants to the school in developing such a program. Includes two figures and references. (MD)

Reviews the current (1987) certification requirements for principals in the 50 states. Speculates about future changes. Includes four tables. (Author/MD)

Coaching occurs in many fields, including music, drama, and various sports activities. Building a "coaching" metaphor might help clarify differences in coaching roles that principals and teachers find confusing. Most head coaches recognize that responsible evaluation is more helpful than absolute power in helping each player be the best…