"Surprise! Here come the preschoolers." Thousands of elementary principals are receiving a similar message from their supervisors as the concept of universal preschool is propelled to the forefront of the national education agenda. School districts across the country are being infused with wide varieties of federal- and state-funded…

Much has been written during the past decade about the changing role of the principal and the shift in emphasis from manager to instructional leader. Anyone in education, and especially principals themselves, could develop a mental list of responsibilities that fit within each of these realms. But research makes it clear that both those aspects of…

Principals must devote a vast amount of time and energy to campus funding and budgetary issues because budgeting and accounting procedures are an integral part of an effective instructional program. In fact, a principal's role in the budgetary process significantly impacts both budget development and instructional planning. Principals who fail to…

Schools are often viewed as the primary change agent for any new health crisis that gains national or local attention. Schools should play a role in creating a healthy learning environment because many of these health problems can impact student learning. But is it reasonable to hold schools and school leaders responsible for fixing the health…

Most educators, especially elementary principals, know from experience and common sense that attending school regularly during the early elementary years is essential. Young children need enough time in the classroom to gain the basic social and academic skills that will equip them to succeed long term in school. What many educators might not…

Although single-sex education was once the norm in the U.S., the practice has largely been confined to private schools for more than a century. However, with the introduction of the final version of the U.S. Department of Education's so-called single-sex regulations in 2006, public schools were allowed greater flexibility to offer single-sex…

Many teachers believe that their administrators have lost touch with life in the classroom, and the resulting gap is a serious concern. Closing a perception gap between principals and teachers is critical if they are to work together for their mutual benefit and that of the children they serve. The authors of this article asked a group of veteran,…

Fear and anxiety are emotions that principals must learn to overcome if they are to be effective leaders. This article provides some observations and suggestions that can help principals understand and cope with fear on the job. (Contains 3 online resources.)

Describes the implementation of an elementary school writing program that motivates students by allowing them to write about their own interests and by encouraging them to comment on each other's works. (PGD)

Briefly describes the perfect principal's leadership, consciousness of human relations, charisma, visibility, high standards, positive attitude, openness, organization, consistency, and involvement in professional activities. (PGD)

Responses from 338 students in 13 classes about what the principal in their school does prompted the principal to delegate routine tasks and to instigate buildingwide activities that would stimulate interest in academic achievement, particularly reading and math. (MLF)

A veteran principal offers some wide-ranging and practical suggestions for supervising children on the playground and in the cafeteria. (Author/MLF)

The importance of the principal's role in making a teacher's first year successful is documented in this Research Report, which examines the needs of new teachers and how they can be addressed. It discusses problems related to their inexperience and how principals can instill in them the confidence they often lack. (Contains 4 online resources.)

Surveys typical challenges, problems, and rewards facing principals in small rural schools by profiling two principals who administer five schools in northern Vermont. The schools have a combined population of 400 students in grades from kindergarten through eighth grade. (PGD)

Dick Curland, principal of Valley View Elementary School in Portland, Connecticut, enhances his effectiveness by maintaining high visibility, communicating clearly and frequently with others, supporting his staff, and developing positive personal contact with individual students. (PGD)