In "Justice for Black Students: Black Principals Matter," Kofi Lomotey begins with a two-pronged premise: (1) Black students do not receive a quality education in US public (or private) schools, and (2) Black principals, like Black teachers, can make a positive impact on the academic and overall success of Black students. Through the…

Roughly 30 years ago, American educators stood at a crossroads, with a decision to make about the future of education. With their ears ringing of warnings that they were facing a "rising tide of mediocrity" and recognizing unacceptable gaps in achievement between disadvantaged students and others, educators set off down a path of reform…

New Leaders is a nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure high academic achievement for all students by developing outstanding school leaders to serve in urban schools. Its premise is that a combination of preparation and improved working conditions for principals, especially greater autonomy, would lead to improved student outcomes. Its…

New Leaders is dedicated to promoting student achievement by developing outstanding school leaders to serve in urban schools. RAND Corporation researchers conducted a formative and summative external evaluation of the New Leaders program, its theory of action, and its implementation from 2006 through 2013. This document presents technical…

To stem the tide of students dropping out, many schools and districts are turning to early warning systems (EWS) that signal whether a student is at risk of not graduating from high school. While some research exists about establishing these systems, there is little information about the actual implementation strategies that are being used across…

Examines the ways grievances are handled, emphasizing the role of the principal. Examples of actual grievance procedure agreements are provided. (IRT)

A game centering on interpersonal, curricular, and organizational decisions similar to those that a principal might make during a school year. Includes everything (except markers and a die) needed for playing the game. (Author/IRT)

Each of the guidelines pertains to a specific function of the principal in collective bargaining as the process is generally practiced throughout the country. Included is a listing of the advantages and disadvantages of the principal's participation. (Author/IRT)

If principals are to assume executive authority, they will have to work on three main areas of change: attitudes, skills, and functions. Schools must have strong leadership in order to be successful and vital. (Author/IRT)

Counsels new superintendents to assess staff strengths and deficiencies before devising a plan that uses everyone's talents (even those of "turkey" principals) to fullest advantage. Strong communication and supervisory skills and firm administrative policies are essential to target weak performers and determine when transfers or dismissals might…

Offers six guidelines for the building principal to follow in evaluating teachers. The guidelines include keeping evaluation criteria in mind when hiring teachers, focusing on evaluation during inservice training, establishing a regular pattern of classroom visits, and providing teachers with opportunities for self-evaluation. (IRT)

If the principalship is being tested, the principal needs to have greater negotiating acumen and more solid unification of the profession, says this author. He offers suggestions on steps that should be taken to protect and foster the principalship. (Editor)

Ray Tolcacher, the active and highly visible principal of Whelan Elementay School in Lennox, California, won the respect and trust of the Hispanic community served by Whelan by encouraging local residents to use school facilities and by fostering good relations between community members and local police. (PGD)

Briefly describes the perfect principal's leadership, consciousness of human relations, charisma, visibility, high standards, positive attitude, openness, organization, consistency, and involvement in professional activities. (PGD)

The concept of mainstreaming and delivery of services is briefly examined from a principal's perspective. The characteristics which shape a principal's effectiveness are listed and research is cited to show that principals want more responsibility than they now have. Principals are urged to share their mainstreaming experiences with others.…