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)

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)

A study, based on a sample of 400 assistant principals in 15 major cities, revealed that most wanted significantly more responsibility and have a high level of job satisfaction. Almost half hope to become principals, and another 29 percent want to become central office administrators. (MLF)

Describes ways the principal can use the resources on hand more effectively to enhance student learning. (Author/JM)

Teacher evaluation should take into consideration the artistic aspects of teaching, which are ignored by rigid evaluation formats. To do this, principals should participate in the classroom; observe the total learning environment; learn how a teacher deals with peers, students, and parents; and gain perceptions of the students themselves.…

Principals can make changes happen, help them happen, or simply let them happen. Effective change leadership involves setting long-term goals, clarifying the school's commitment to work at education, staying on top of innovations, consulting and collaborating with teachers, making decisions, offering support and guidance, and maintaining…

Research has shown that independent reading, both in school and out, is associated with gains in reading achievement. Principals can play a critical role by promoting voluntary reading to teachers, students, parents, and the community. (17 references) (MLF)

Describes why the National Association of Elementary School Principals developed its "Standards for Quality Elementary Schools: Kindergarten through Eighth Grade," how the standards differ from those of accrediting agencies, how the standards should be used, who will receive them, and what impact they may have. (PGD)

If teachers are to use computers in the classroom or train students to use computers, they must first be trained themselves. This training should provide knowledge of educational computer applications, computer terms and operations, courseware evaluation techniques, and elementary programing skills. An ongoing staff development program should also…

Suggests ways of judging teacher performance based on the five basic steps in the teacher evaluation process: (1) gathering information and making judgments; (2) holding the evaluation conference; (3) identifying areas needing improvement; (4) providing assistance; and (5) guiding the teacher out of teaching if improvement cannot be made.…

Positive attitudes produce positive results. Offers practical suggestions for principals to develop a more positive atmosphere among faculty and staff. (MLF)