In this article, the author explains why students with autism must be treated as individuals. As she has completed the requirements to become a licensed principal, she has also studied how her daughters fare in school, leading her to suggest the following advice for principals: (1) know that autism is a spectrum disorder; (2) have all staff…

The school nurse is an important member of the school team since school health services keep students in school, in the classroom, and ready to learn. Although school nurses are often seen as the people who deliver first aid at school, their role is much deeper and has such breadth that only a registered, professional nurse has the skill set to…

It's all about building bridges for student inclusion at Edgerton Elementary School, which is the school the author leads in Kalispell, Montana. When the author became principal of Edgerton five years ago, the school was planning to introduce a cohort of preschool students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) into kindergarten. Everyone at the…

If you have noticed that your teachers need more "tricks up their sleeves" for working with slow learners, you can initiate a staff-development plan for changing that. Here are some suggestions for using the time, resources, and staff that you already have to improve the teaching of slow learners.

Today in the U.S., more than 4 million elementary and secondary students require language assistance, and growth of the English-language learner (ELL) population is expected to continue. Thus, school staffs must be prepared to meet challenges that will arise because of the changing population and an increase of ELLs. School districts that are…

Suggests steps principals should take to increase school security and crisis preparedness: Involve school community members in security needs-assessment process; reduce risk based on assessment by establishing partnerships with law-enforcement agencies, strengthening security, and establishing crises guidelines. (PKP)

Describes the benefits for principals of online staff development for teachers. Sources of online courses and training include local and state departments of education, professional associations, colleges and universities, online universities, and commercial suppliers. (PKP)

Outlines how to develop productive staff meetings that foster professional staff development. Three steps to follow include developing a staff development committee, designing a long-range staff development plan, and planning staff meetings that become a lesson in themselves. (MD)

Describes a 1982 program at Sarasota County School System (Florida) that trained teachers as student advisors when five junior high schools became middle schools. Explains measures to overcome teacher resistance to advisement sessions, the benefits of developing teacher-trainers, and resultant gains in teachers' self-confidence. (MLH)

A former teacher-turned-principal presents a model for providing new teachers with necessary peer support, information, and assistance. Components include a clear, concise introduction to materials, schedules, and daily school and classroom operations; a thorough building orientation; a presentation of the principal's expectations regarding…

An elementary school art teacher with 25 years' experience with the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools praises her district's nationally recognized program. She attributes success to several factors: a written curriculum for grades K-6, a strategies document for implementing the curriculum, a strong staff development component, collaboration…

The School Improvement Model launched by the Iowa State University College of Education in 1964 uses a total-system approach to measure and report teacher performance. SIM focuses on student achievement and emphasizes validity, reliability, discrimination, and 360-degree feedback from principals, other teachers, parents, and students. A Wyoming…

For the past decade, the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and local school districts have worked to discover effective methods for integrating educational technologies into teaching practice. Some basic strategies and philosophies include establishing effective goals for technology, providing adequate teacher and student access…

The principal and vice-principal of a California elementary school describe the eight critical elements that helped them develop a model expanded-day program at their school: identifying needs; sharing a vision; fostering staff ownership; investing in staff development; creating partnerships; linking learning to state standards; measuring and…

Designed by the National Foundation for the Improvement of education, Bill Gates's The Road Ahead Program features extensive Internet access for all students and teacher opportunities to work with networks and multimedia technologies. Each school in the 22 participating communities is paired with a community organization. Staff development should…