As the instructional leaders of the schools, principals have both the responsibility and the authority to bring about substantive improvements in their reading programs, their faculties, and ultimately in the reading achievement of the pupils in their charge. For this reason, they should seek constantly to upgrade their ability to supervise school…

Practical ways principals can modify and monitor their school's reading programs are suggested in this report that also presents reading theory and research results. The bulk of the report focuses on the elementary school and is divided into a short section on theory and a longer section on practice. Suggestions are given about establishing…

This publication features articles on school climate. Among the various concerns are: 1) the complexities of the educational environment, 2) low cost school climate programs, 3) implementation of changes for effective climates, 4) the roles of principals, teachers, and students in the educational environment, and 5) test anxiety and creativity as…

An examination of literature in the field of staff development reveals five models of inservice for principals. The traditional model involves enrolling in courses at colleges and universities. Institutes are short-term specific learning experiences. Competency-based training identifies knowledge and skills needed and focuses on influencing…

A national survey of 1,000 principals and 1,000 school media specialists indicates that principals have very little knowledge about what really happens in the school library media center. Ten statements are presented to enable readers to test their own knowledge about library media centers. The responses make it clear that principals have had…

This issue reviews publications that provide a starting point for principals looking for a way through the accountability maze. Each publication views accountability differently, but collectively these readings argue that even in an era of state-mandated assessment, principals can pursue proactive strategies that serve students' needs. James A.…

A newsletter addresses the issues school administrators should consider in planning and implementing the use of microcomputers in their schools. Described are ways in which microcomputers will change management, the variety of ways computers can be used in educational administration, classroom activities using computer-based instruction, criteria…

During the next several years, nearly half of all U.S. principals will retire. Despite principals' crucial leadership role, the methods for training and selecting these administrators are often ill-suited for employing outstanding leaders. Patronage, favoritism, familiarity, or good impressions frequently prevail over merit. This bulletin begins…

Principals can effectively confront the problem of student drug abuse by working with public and private resources, school and community leaders, law enforcement, and treatment and counseling professionals. The most effective school drug education programs include a well-orchestrated K-12 curriculum. The "Just Say No" approach provides students…

These three issues of the FLES News newsletter contain the following articles: "What I Learned in Second Grade: A French Teacher's Experience" (Pat Westphal); "Foreign Language Program Articulation: Building Bridges from Elementary to Secondary School" (Jo Anne Wilson; an ERIC Digest); "How Do Principals View Foreign…

This special serial issue discusses a controversial article on university school-administration programs. The issue opens with an abridged edition of the article written for the "Phi Delta Kappan" which argues that what little evidence there is on educational administration graduate programs' efficacy indicates that such training is ineffectual.…

Schools are expected not only to conserve society's values and standards, but to be dynamic organizations with built-in mechanisms for incorporating rapid, far-reaching change. Although change is unlikely unless at least one highly motivated individual assumes the role of initial change agent, lasting change requires more than the efforts of a…

Recent studies have verified Secretary of Education William Bennett's observation on the importance of home and family life. The most successful students are those whose parents become actively engaged in the educational process at home and at school. To capitalize on potential parent involvement, principals need to understand the kinds of…

The 10 articles in this 1997 issue cover a wide range of research. Each of the articles addresses one of the seven questions: "What do we know about leadership capacity and how is it built?""How do we work with those enrolled in leadership preparation programs to enable these future leaders to build leadership capacity in schools?""How do we…

Given that grouping students homogeneously has proved to be more deleterious than beneficial to student learning and self-concept, principals of middle level schools have the responsibility to implement more heterogeneous grouping arrangements in their schools. Grouping programs that provide multiple criteria for determining student ability and…