At the Northview Elementary School in Manhattan, Kansas, the position of Assisting Teacher was developed to help teachers handle their work load. The position is filled by an experienced teacher who teaches half time and assists at the building level, with individual teachers, and in professional growth and development the rest of the time.…

Outlines how to develop productive staff meetings that foster professional staff development. Three steps to follow include developing a staff development committee, designing a long-range staff development plan, and planning staff meetings that become a lesson in themselves. (MD)

Describes the Prospect Archives, which contain children's artwork and academic work as well as observations and reports on the children by teachers and other staff members of the Prospect School. The contents of the archive document the growth of individual students over a period of years. (Author/IRT)

Former principal suggests several ways to make principal's job more manageable: Revise the principal's job description, improve professional preparation, provide ongoing professional development, provide more support, improve management practices, and strengthen staff hiring. (PKP)

Some staff development and organization development practices that can profoundly influence teacher attitudes and behaviors include having a clear school vision, establishing collegiality and experimentation norms, displaying a collaborative attitude, using staff development research, varying staff development format, encouraging faculty…

An elementary school art teacher with 25 years' experience with the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools praises her district's nationally recognized program. She attributes success to several factors: a written curriculum for grades K-6, a strategies document for implementing the curriculum, a strong staff development component, collaboration…

A reading specialist provides tips for developing a student publishing center aimed at improving writing skills and involving students in all publishing operations. Steps include assembling a planning team, considering various models, gaining financial assistance, furnishing the center, gathering needed supplies, and launching the program. (MLH)

Two experienced women educators turned an elementary school's declining enrollment problem into a pioneering leadership opportunity when they proposed sharing the principalship. The part-time principals gained time to pursue advanced degrees, professional concerns, and family interests. The school gained an economical, high-energy team committed…

The 21st-century integrated curriculum will be based not on themes, but on broad, unchanging concepts. The concept-based curriculum will require teaching of necessary language arts and other skills as needed for in-depth concept study. This approach offers common learning for all students by broadening specific objectives of many subject areas.…

The most important job description for educators is discovering and providing conditions fostering off-the-chart learning curves for children and adults. At-risk students and educators are those with little possibility of continued learning. Only when schools become communities for adult development, will they become hospitable to student…

Summarizes findings of report "Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development," released in 2002 by the Arts Foundation Partnership. Report describes certain important relationships between the arts and academic and social skills. Describes what principals can do to link the arts with other subjects. (PKP)

Outlines five lessons learned at Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School (Kentucky) when the computer education program, Humana Computer Tutor project, was implemented. The principal was important to the success of the program. (MD)

In an interview with "Principal," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and NAESP Executive Director Vincent Ferrandino agreed that schools should become community centers. Principals' major challenges include welcoming and involving the community, envisioning improvements, building consensus, valuing teamwork, and pursuing…

Recent research supports Vygotsky's "zone of proximal development" theory; children receiving peer assistance can stretch their learning beyond their individual accomplishment. A study of a multiage classroom revealed three strategies used by children working together to solve math problems--modeling, tutoring, and pairing/sharing…

Aspiring and entry-level principals desperately need encouragement, coaching, and help from veteran principals willing to be their mentors. According to a recent study of 377 elementary principals, most believe strongly in mentoring, and 90 percent would like to fill that role. Great commitment is necessary for preparing tomorrow's school leaders.…