Title Details

The Nature of the Principalship.

Define Your Own Belief System.

Instructional Leadership.

The Importance of Diplomacy.

The Need for Positive Community Relations.

Learn from Experience.

Effective Time-Management Practices.

Maintain Perspective.

Chapter 2: HOW TO PLAN FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR-SETTING GOALS AND MAINTAINING FOCUS.

The Power of Goals.

Goals Should Make a Difference.

Setting Goals-Broad-Based Involvement.

The Elements of Well-Designed School Goals.

Keep the Ball in the Air.

Reporting on Goal Fulfillment.

Summary.

Chapter 3: SHARED DECISION MAKING-THE KEY TO A MORE EFFECTIVE SCHOOL.

What is Meant by Shared Decision Making?

What Are the Benefits of Shared Decision Making?

What Do Effective School Councils Do?

What Steps Are Required to Establish a School Council?

What Are the Skills Required for Effective Council Meetings?

The Role of the Principal in Shared Decision Making.

How to Assess the Effectiveness of a School Council.

Chapter 4: IMPROVING TEACHER OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION.

The Purposes of Supervision and Evaluation.

How to Establish a Positive Climate for Teacher Supervision.

How to Clarify the Criteria for Supervision and Evaluation.

Achieving a Balance Between Formal and Informal Observations.

Reviewing Professional Development Plans.

The Preobservation Conference.

How to Conduct Effective Teacher Observations.

The Postobservation Conference-A Time for Sharing and Learning.

Other Means of Observation and Evaluation.

How to Make the Most of an Annual Evaluation Conference.

How to Make Effective Decisions About Rehiring Teachers.

How to Deal Effectively with the Marginal Teacher.

Evaluating the Supervisory Process.

Chapter 5: THE PRINCIPAL'S ROLE IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL.

What Is the Curriculum?

Establishing a Time Line for Examining the Curriculum.

A Process for Curriculum Renewal.

Preparing a Curriculum Document.

The Role of Inquiry and Integrated Learning.

Chapter 6: ASSESSMENT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-PURPOSES AND PRACTICES.

The Purposes of Assessment.

A Few Useful Definitions.

Assessment vs. Testing.

Gaining Consensus on Learning Outcomes.

Aligning Assessment to Instruction.

Different Assessments for Different Needs.

Steps to Follow in Designing Assessments.

A Balanced Approach to Assessment.

Chapter 7: USING THE SCHOOL TESTING PROGRAM TO GOOD ADVANTAGE.

The Purposes of Standardized Testing.

Kinds of Standardized Tests Often Given in Elementary Schools.

Effective Ways to Approach Testing.

Administrative Responsibilities in the School Testing Program.

Helping Children Perform Their Best on Standardized Tests.

Effective Analysis and Use of Test Results.

Understanding the Limitations of Standardized Tests.

Reporting the Results of Tests to Parents and Students.

Chapter 8: REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS TO PARENTS.

First Things First-Getting to Know Students.

When Should Student Progress Be Reported?

Clarifying Reporting Practices with Teachers.

Helping Parents to Understand the School's Reporting System.

Improving Progress Reports.

Reporting Progress in Special Subject Areas.

Tips and Techniques for Holding Effective Parent Conferences.

Student Self-Evaluation.

Chapter 9: ADMINISTERING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

The Role of the Principal in Overseeing Special Services.

Identifying Special Needs of Students.

Developing a Continuum of Services for Students.

The Trend Toward Inclusion.

Creating a Pupil Support Team.

Prereferral Interventions.

Procedures to Follow in Section 504 Referrals.

Referral for Special Educational Services.

Dealing with the Outcomes of a Special Education Evaluation.

Discipline Regulations and Special Education Students.

Administering English-as-a-Second-Language Programs.

Administering Gifted and Talented Educational Programs.

Staff Development Needs in Dealing with Unique Learners.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Programs to Meet Special Needs.

Chapter 10: STUDENT DISCIPLINE-APPROACHES, ALTERNATIVES, AND SOLUTIONS.

Causes of Discipline Problems That Principals Are Likely to Encounter.

Approaches to Effective Discipline.

Elements of a Preventive Discipline Program.

Advice for Teachers About Classroom Discipline.

The Principal's Role in the School Discipline Program.

The Importance of Parent Communication.

Alternatives in a School Discipline Program.

Chapter 11: IMPROVING YOUR SCHOOL'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

The Need for Ongoing Professional Development.

How to Begin-Conducting a Staff Development Needs Assessment.

Staff Development and Behavioral Change.

The Principal's Role in Devising a Staff Development Program.

Implementing an Effective Staff Development Program.

The Faculty Meeting as a Forum for Professional Development.

Staff Development for School Service Personnel.

Chapter 12: PROMOTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION-INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL.

The Importance of Effective Communication.

Keeping the School Staff Informed.

Obtain Requested Information in an Organized Fashion.

Keeping the Parent Body and the Community Informed.

Face-to-Face Communications.

Establishing a Network of "Key Communications".

Communications in Times of Crisis.

The Written Letter-A Lost Art.

Chapter 13: PROMOTING POSITIVE PARENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS.

Begin with Your Own School Community.

Developing Unity of Purpose.

The Importance of Availability and Visibility.

Working with a Principal's Advisory Council.

Establishing Procedures for Handling of Parental Complaints.

Developing Programs for the Involvement of Parents.

Preparing School Newsletters, Publications, and Bulletins.

The Importance of the Role of the School Secretary.

Dealing with the Media.

Becoming Skillful at Creating Positive Publicity for Your School.

Chapter 14: TECHNOLOGY AND THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM.

A Working Definition of Technology.

Clarifying the Purposes of Technology in the School.

Planning for Effective Use of Technology in School.

Integrating Technology Into the General Curriculum.

Technology and Educational Reform.

Planning for Appropriate Staff Development.

Using On-Line Services.

Evaluating Content and Software Programs.

Ensuring Proper Use, Maintenance, and Inventory of Equipment.

Chapter 15: EFFECTIVE BUEDGET PREPARATION AND CONTROL.

Planning-The First Step.

Preparing Budget Documents.

Budget Review and Approval.

Implementing and Controlling the Budget.

Securing Alternative Means of Funding in Your School.

Handling Student Activity Accounts and Disbursements.

Chapter 16: MAINTAINING A CLEAN AND SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

Caring for the School Building.

Maximizing the Use of Building Space.

Working with the Custodial Staff.

Securing, Storing, and Maintaining an Inventory of Custodial Supplies.

Maintaining a Safe and Clean School Site.

Improving the Appearance of Indoor Spaces.

Long-Term Planning and Capital Projects.

Ensuring School Security and Safety.

Chapter 17: DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE CLASS PLACEMENT POLICIES.

Fair and Appropriate Organization of Classes.

Inviting Parent Input into Class Placement-Benefits and Drawbacks.

Developing Class Lists.

Forming Incoming Kindergarten Classes.

Dealing with the Retention of Students in a Grade.

Announcing Class Placements to Parents.

Handling Parent Complaints About Class Placements.

Placing Students Who Enter During the School Year.

Grouping Students Within Classes.

Reviewing and Evaluating Class Placement Practices.

Chapter 18: EFFECTIVE AND CREATIVE SCHOOL SCHEDULING PRACTICES.

Setting Goals for the School Schedule.

The Effect of the Schedule on the Climate of the School.

Defining Premises, Assumptions, and Contractual Considerations.

Models and Approaches for School Scheduling.

Getting Down to Business-Developing the Master Schedule.

Year-Round Schooling-A Growing Trend.

Chapter 19: STAFFING AND HIRING-CRITICAL DECISIONS FOR PRINCIPALS.

Projecting Staffing Needs.

Forming a Selection Committee.

Developing a Candidate Profile.

Recruiting Suitable Candidates.

Paper Screening.

Developing Interview Questions.

Developing an Interview Schedule.

Conducting Interviews.

Checking References.

Making a Hiring Recommendation.

Notifying Applicants of Their Status.

Announcing Hiring Decisions to the School Community.

Orienting New Staff Members.

Evaluating Hiring and Orientation Practices.

Chapter 20: SCHOOL TRADITIONS AND CEREMONIES.

Making Schools Great and Memorable with Traditions and Ceremonies.

Developing a School Culture.

Planning for Ceremonies and Maintaining Traditions.

Examples of School Traditions and Ceremonies.

Passing Down School Traditions from One Generation to the Next.

Index.