The role of the principal during the past two decades can be addressed by looking at the major developments of the era as they influenced the evolution of the principal's role. Fundamental changes in school structure were popularized during the expansionist period of the late 1950s and 1960s. Principals had to be agents of change. Then, a note of…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the elementary school principal has an impact on the outcomes of schooling manifested by students and, if so, to determine the nature of the role of the principal in influencing cognitive and affective outcomes manifested by students. The three sets of principal-related variables used were…

This handbook synthesizes research on the education of various subpopulations of students who tend to be highly mobile and explores common characteristics and significant differences. It provides a comprehensive array of resources for teachers and schools. Part 1, "Defining Highly Mobile Children and Youth," includes: (1) "Students…

The Division for Leadership Development at the Maryland State Department of Education was created by Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools, in the summer of 2000. The mission of the Division for Leadership Development is to build the instructional leadership capacity of present and potential school leaders in the content and…

This document contains the test administration plan for the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), a test used to assess the college-level skills of Florida students in the early years of college. The plan contains the procedures to be followed during the year in the administration of the CLAST. The document specifies the responsibilities of…

Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Preparing the "Highly Qualified Principal": Will New Training and Recruitment Programs Reshape the Profession? (Alexander Russo); (2) Out-of-School…

In spite of various opinions about the requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and of the newly reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA) and the difficulties with implementing these federal laws, people are beginning to see positive outcomes and improvement in the academic performance of students with…

After defining the school learning environment as a collage of various goal stresses and discussing relationships between motivation and achievement explored in recent research, this document explains the need to change school culture and climate in order to enhance student motivation. Policy and procedural areas where change may be desired are…

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data included in America's Challenge: Accelerating Academic Achievement, indicate the scope of the task of reaching the National Goal for Education on Student Achievement and Citizenship. This discussion guide focuses on the five corollary objectives of the National Goal, which are to: (1)…

This paper presents the results of an Achievement Directed Leadership (ADL) field test conducted at eight elementary schools and a middle school in an urban school district in New Jersey during the 1981-82 school year. The stated purpose of the field test was only secondarily to assess student outcomes; its major objective was to help principals…

Four general types of literature related to school effectiveness are reviewed in this paper and the more consistent research findings synthesized. The literature types considered are case studies (descriptions of effective schools), comparative studies (comparisons of effective and ineffective schools), program evaluations (examinations of…

Effective instructional management processes come in many guises, but all share four essential components: (1) a set of educational goals toward which progress can be measured; (2) a means of assessing students' instructional needs and determining placement and grouping; (3) an organizational structure and instructional delivery process capable of…

This task force report attempted to clarify the responsibilities of Alaska's schools, identify the practices essential to effective schooling, and make recommendations to institute these practices in the state. Following an historical perspective on the role of education and Alaska schools, the report lists three kinds of school…

Describes a program initiated at a high school in New York City that identified learning styles of special education students in an effort to increase their achievement. Concludes that the program led to gains in motivation as well as achievement. Contains materials used to identify learning styles. (FL)

Leadership to reverse rigid tracking practices can make a difference for student success. Through transformational leadership, administrators, teachers, and counselors can serve as catalysts for change from restrictive to inclusive advanced high school classes. Steps are underway by some states and districts to change past grouping practices that…