A typical classroom today is a jigsaw puzzle of learners. It is not unusual for a teacher to have in one class students from multiple cultures, bringing with them varied degrees of proficiency with English and an impressive array of learning exceptionalities (both identified and not identified), as well as a broad array of economic backgrounds.…

By the very nature of their business, public education has become vulnerable to legal attacks. The fear of being sued has forced public school teachers and administrators across the country to re-evaluate what they do and modify traditional curricular activities and co-curricular programs. In this article, the author relates how his own school…

For any strategic planning effort to succeed, administrators must choose carefully the size or scope of the proposed plan and who will benefit from it. This article outlines the major elements and assumptions of three planning dimensions--micro-, macro-, and mega-planning. Once scope is determined, the group is ready for 12 other steps that will…

This article focuses on planning a retreat for board, leadership team, or community and business partners. The author provides 10 suggestions for effective retreat planning: (1) Plan one's retreat with a clear purpose in mind; (2) Make retreat more relevant; (3) Build on current and past successes; (4) Make sure the right people are invited and…

Individual schools should have committees to help establish long- and short-range school improvement plans utilizing information supplied by the school principal. Identification and achievement of specific objectives are the goals. (MLF)

Presents a technology-planning framework for administrators that facilitates development of a strategic plan. The process includes planning the planning, benchmarking the current status of district technology use, envisioning future trends, identifying stakeholders' needs and wants, developing the technology model, identifying resource…

A technology audit compares a school district's plans and expectations for technology with actual deployment and use. The audit addresses information systems; operational environment; administrative, teaching, and learning applications; student, finance, and human resources systems; technology; infrastructure; office automation and productivity…

Currently 59 bills are awaiting Congressional action. Meanwhile, a national coalition of economists and medical specialists (the National Leadership Coalition for Health Care Reform) are circulating a sensible consensus health reform plan proposing national practice guidelines; universal health care access; and efficient cost control, delivery,…

Describes a superintendent's plan of entry into a new school district. Includes six-step guide for entry plan survey. (PKP)

Based on the experience of the Los Angeles Unified School District (California), this article presents areas for school districts to scrutinize when planning for emergencies. These include written plans, duplicate home telephone listings, communications plans, staff identification cards, utility shutoff information, and food and shelter…

Explains that superintendents need to create a vision and convert it into an action plan. To achieve this end, the visionary leader must communicate the idea and build support. Commitment cannot be rallied without a leader who inspires subordinates' trust. (MLH)

Personal account of his first-year experience as superintendent of the South Hamilton School District, a small rural district in Jewell, Iowa. (PKP)

Most daunting part of systemwide change is coping with complex mix of human needs, feelings, and emotions accompanying any change. By acknowledging the human dimensions of the planning enterprise and integrating them into the planning task, thoughtful leaders can bring about productive changes in their middle schools without damaging the most…

Evaluation of gifted programs can help educators plan appropriate curriculum, enhance implementation, and judge program impact. Evaluating planning provides useful information for establishing need, justifying certain curricular approaches, and documenting the integration of services with the school program. Cost-effectiveness and program-impact…

For many administrators, retirement does not usually provide flow of accomplishments and satisfaction because small emotional gratifications of day at work are gone and time suddenly seems too open-ended. Superintendents need to pursue something that keeps them vibrant physically, intellectually, and emotionally. For some, work is tonic.…