Although Seattle Public Schools needed additional training for its newly decentralized decision making to succeed, declining enrollments and escalating costs prevented the district from allocating necessary funding. Instead of asking the business community for money, the district asked for the time of their best managers to work with principals on…

Thanks to previous bond issues, the Walled Lake (Michigan) Schools had a well-defined technology plan featuring staff development, student performance benchmarks, and rooms of outdated computers. After three bond issues failed, the district adopted leasing as an alternative. Their present three-year contract supplies 154 used computers and a…

Educators must recognize five realities before meaningful affirmative actions can occur. Affirming diversity is about social justice. Nonwhite and poor students bear the brunt of structural inequality. Diversity is a valuable resource. Effective teaching entails respecting who they are. Affirming diversity means becoming a multicultural person.…

Despite steep odds, the American Association of School Administrators is renewing its effort to ease the financial sacrifice of border-hopping superintendents. A 1998 legislative initiative, the Retirement Account Portability Act, drew 50 cosponsors. A similar legislative push is expected in 1999. (MLH)

A superintendent of Stockbridge Valley Central Schools, a rural district in central New York State, describes student, staff, parent, and community reactions to a brand-new K-12 building in their own words. Feelings of concern and doubt were dissipated by the time the building opened. (MLH)

Outlines five intervention strategies for improving disabled students' educational outcomes: ensuring appropriate interventions for all handicapped toddlers, ensuring success in primary grades, intervening early with children experiencing significant behavior and reading difficulties, providing access to the general curriculum, and encouraging all…

A superintendent-turned-CEO describes similarities and differences between his two careers. Both positions significantly shape the organization's strategic direction, focus on results, and require long hours and great intensity. As CEO, the author is rewarded only for making progress, moves the organization rapidly to address changing…

"Resilience" is the capacity for moving ahead under adverse circumstances. School superintendents are advised to stay upbeat and mindful of "both-and" opportunities; stay focused on what they care about; remain flexible and tolerant of ambiguity; be proactive, not reactive; and apply resilience-conserving strategies during…

A Texas superintendent debunks six legislative advocacy myths. Actually, superintendents have more political clout than board members. They should work with legislators even when the state legislature is not in session, communicate effectively by telephone, work with "noninfluential" legislators, influence the state education…

Central-office administrators can help counter principals' defeatist attitudes about teacher dismissal by communicating their values and standards, helping principals gain confidence, providing training, minimizing contractual restraints, and providing social and emotional support. Examining barriers to action from the principal's viewpoint is…

Discusses technology-support issues, including staff training, cost, and outsourcing. Describes how various school districts manage technology-support services. Features the Technology Support Index, developed by the International Society for Technology in Education, to gauge the operation of school district technology-support programs. (PKP)

Interviews with superintendents of eight charter-school districts in four states: California, Florida, Georgia, and New Mexico. Describes advantages and disadvantages. Includes a list (with website addresses) of all current charter-school districts. (PKP)

Georgia superintendent describes the process and benefits of his district becoming a charter-school district. (PKP)

Idaho's second largest school district adopted a computerized version of the achievement tests it had been using in paper-and-pencil form for students of grades 3-12. Two of the most significant benefits of the computer-based testing program are the timeliness of the data and the ability to monitor student progress. The district worked closely…

Provides advice to a superintendency candidate based on personal experience on what to do and what to look for before accepting the position. (PKP)