One of the most important roles of a principal is that of early childhood advocate. It is a role supported by an abundance of research showing that students who enter school having experienced high-quality preschool are better equipped and adjusted to meet today's kindergarten programs. But where does a busy principal--pushed to the maximum with…

About three-fourths of the states have already adopted the Common Core State Standards, which were designed to provide more clarity about and consistency in what is expected of student learning across the country. However, given the brief time since the standards' final release in June, questions persist among educators, who will have the…

Early childhood and elementary-level educators are engaging in conversations about how to coordinate their efforts to develop fluent readers. There is evidence that key early literacy skills that are predictive of subsequent literacy achievement in kindergarten and first grade can be taught to preschool-age children. Moreover, early childhood…

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)

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.…

Discusses the importance of the principal's role in preparing for the changes that are taking place in adapting education's role to a technological future. (MD)

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)

Academically oriented after-school programs can be an effective way to provide extra help to students who need it. Research points to the importance of well-designed programs established to meet specific goals. The report lists and describes the elements of successful after-school programs. (Contains 4 online resources.)

Explains how law-related education can be taught at the elementary level and how and why a law-related education program ought to be instituted; answers criticisms of law-related education. (JM)

According to advocates, school uniforms reduce gang influence, decrease families' clothing expenditures, and help mitigate potentially divisive cultural and economic differences. Aiming to improve school climate, a California elementary school adopted uniforms as a source of pride and affiliation. This article describes the development of the…

Most schools need to review and revise disciplinary rules each year, but good administrator never publishes list of rules that have not been endorsed by "significant others" on staff or in community. By starting process in April or May, instead of August, the principal has several months to secure the necessary endorsements and involve parents.…

In the midnineties, Albuquerque Public Schools developed an Extra Support for Principals initiative-a voluntary support program that respects participants' time constraints and schedules only three activities during the year. Both experienced and mentored principals value the program, which keeps more beginning administrators on the job. (MLH)

Many elementary schools are adding a prekindergarten year because of increasing concern for at-risk children lacking adequate supervision. Meeting a child's needs early is much more effective than later remediation. This article discusses three major considerations in designing such programs: teacher selection, space requirements, and…

The head of a firm that specializes in developing, operating, and evaluating after-school programs for schools and districts provides a useful guide to their planning, staffing, and sustainability. (Author)

Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) is an intervention program providing direct services to students through a parent/school instructional partnership. Grandview, Missouri's PEP aims to have all third grader participants functioning on grade level in reading and math. PEP is successful in three areas: attitude, attendance, and achievement.…