Three qualities are central to most conceptions of citizenship: deep regard for self and others, personal commitment to the core values of justice and caring, and civility and consideration in interactions with others. Good citizens' daily behavior provides both lubricant and glue in our diverse, fast-paced society. Creating community and caring…

The superintendent of the Hudson Public Schools in Massachusetts describes educators' challenges to educate disaffected and disaffiliated youth. Recent research shows that prosocial behavior is stimulated by unity of one's sense of self and one's morality, sense of connectedness to others, and sense of meaning arising from contributing to…

Thanks to certain "common ground" statements, the study of religion may gain a legitimate place in the curriculum and help stem an exodus from public schools. Textbooks have obliterated economics' religious connections. Ignoring religious perspectives about the world is profoundly illiberal, politically unjust, and unconstitutional.…

Salary differences between educators and business leaders range from tens of thousands of dollars for principals to millions for superintendents. Employees valuing monetary incentives will not be attracted to or remain in the education field. Wealthy taxpayers get too many breaks. Progressive income taxes should replace skewed property taxes. (MLH)

In the new economy, knowledge (not labor, raw material, or capital) is the key resource to be converted to goods and services. Public schools will have to educate three tiers of knowledge workers (doers, problem solvers, and designers) using differentiated assessment, curricula, and instruction. Organizational action, not mantras, is needed. (MLH)

A proponent rebuts claims that charter schools rob funds and students from regular public schools, gamble with children's lives and taxpayers' money, are not truly accountable, resemble other public schools, undermine democratic values, underserve disabled children, marginalize minorities, invite profiteering, front for vouchers; and represent…

Educational mass marketing approaches are like fast-food franchises; they offer homogeneous, standardized products that cannot satisfy every consumer's needs. A niche market looks inside the masses to address more individual, specialized choices missing from the menu. Variability, not uniformity, should guide development of public schooling. (MLH)

The past several decades have seen a full-scale assault on American public education. On the 200th anniversary of Horace Mann's birth, AASA's (American Association of School Administrators)executive director introduces several "contrarians" whose writings celebrate public education's success in this special issue. In Jack McKay's…

"Get-tough" measures don't address the causes of school violence or explain schools' increasing vulnerability to its occurrence. The legacy of social control profoundly influences school culture. Truly safe urban schools are small and treat kids like individuals; involve parents; create a supportive, aesthetically appealing environment; and stress…

Although educator cheating (mostly to "help" students) is more commonplace, it should not be tolerated. The best course is building assessment systems with integrity. Several cheating types, such as the self-aggrandizing teacher and pocket-lining administrator, are explained. A sidebar lists eight systemic problems with testing. (MLH)

Two school districts in Washington State are seeing fundamental shifts in the learning process by using technology as a tool to support data-centric instruction. An effective student-assessment strategy includes comprehensive information about student progress, analysis of assessment information so specific instructional strategies can be…

Superintendent describes the factors that define the fit between a candidate and a particular superintendency. Concludes that the most important factor is chemistry. Advises candidates to rely on intelligence, information, and instinct when deciding whether a new superintendency is a good fit. (PKP)

Offers superintendents advice on how to conduct themselves in job interviews with boards of education. Suggests that candidates clearly articulate to the board who they are and what they believe in educationally. (PKP)

Discusses debate surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of various grade-span configurations. Offers several provocative "hunches" concerning the implications of grade-span-configuration research for practice. Includes list of additional resources on grade-span configurations. (PKP)

Interim superintendencies, signaling an interruption in administrative continuity, are growing in duration and number. The right interim superintendent at the right time can bring respite, focus, or unity to a troubled or divided district. Today's mobile, activist interims often make critical decisions affecting their districts' long-term future.…