Outlining brain processing preference styles (dominant left, dominant right, or integrated), the author presents the assets and liabilities of the styles and points out the implications for management. (MD)

During 1992, the American College Testing Program (ACT) attempted to develop a collaborative portfolio model to support both the classroom and the need for information about student capabilities. The program was pilot-tested in 7 high schools; during the 1995-96 academic year, 20 high schools will be involved in a field test. (MLH)

To support concepts such as teacher empowerment, school improvement plans, and site-based decision making, principals must learn how to lead or work with small groups. Each project team must have a champion (usually the principal), assigned members, a name, a district goal, desired outcomes, critical parameters, a time frame, resources, processes,…

Effective school discipline plans get to the root cause of student misconduct and specify expected behavior codes, values, and directives. Successful plans involve all stakeholders in their design, recognize parents as the first link to prevention, ensure access to professional development, celebrate students' positive contributions to the school…

Physical measures such as weapons checks and metal detectors are inadequate to forestall school violence. The key to managing crises is a trained, broad-based crisis-intervention team and a crisis-management plan. Team responsibilities include developing an intervention plan, coordinating with community services, educating and training staff, and…

Compares definitions and core elements of learning organizations promulgated by Peter Senge, Victoria Marsick and Karen Watkins, Nancy Dixon, Michael Marquardt, Mike Pedler, and others. Discusses leadership implications and the need for employees to create a new learning infrastructure incorporating new leaders, critical thinking, and envisioning.…

All in-school suspension (ISS) models can be classified into punitive, problem-solving, academic, and individual models. The individual model is most reasonable, since it assumes that reasons for misbehavior vary from student to student. ISS programs can help modify student misbehavior, protect the overall learning environment by isolating…

Academic multiculturalism, an emerging educational trend, is a one-dimensional approach that adds a list of admirable persons of color to the existing curriculum. Political multiculturalism opens the curriculum to analysis and reconstruction of historical power struggles, including the social conditions and inequitable power relations behind…

Hewlett Packard has led the telementoring field with its Telementor Program, begun in 1995. The program creates one-to-one mentor relationships between HP employees and grade 5-12 students. Via e-mail, employees currently motivate 1,500 students to excel in math and science and improve communication and problem-solving skills. (MLH)

An effective administrator evaluation system builds in feedback opportunities, two-way communication, opportunities for improvement, enforcement of strengths, and a clear understanding of the system. The system must be valid, reliable, meaningful, useful, and feasible. Procedural answers to the why-what-when-where-what-who questions are discussed…

Since certification requirements for journalism teachers vary, the Journalism Education Association (JEA) created its own voluntary certification program that enhances state requirements and encourages teachers and advisors from different academic backgrounds to gain recognition for on-the-job learning efforts. JEA's program, educational benefits…

Certified school counselors, because of their educational training and requirements, have considerable knowledge about human development, assessment techniques, team planning and implementation strategies, career education, future work force needs, and community resources. This article shows how the counselor's role can be expanded to serve the…

Dance education offers the opportunity for students to learn effective communication skills, gain self-confidence, and increase awareness of different cultures. At the heart of any quality arts education program is a sound curriculum that provides all students with sequential instruction and helps them achieve arts literacy. An introductory dance…

Induction programs should be designed to reflect school administrators' unique learning needs. Effective induction programs have three critical components: preprogram planning, mentoring, and program evaluation. Planning involves establishing a school board policy, conducting a preliminary needs assessment, specifying goals, identifying needed…

To increase students' problem-solving abilities, the New York State New Compact for Learning requires schools to do more interdisciplinary, community-based work. Fairport High School's venture exploring the European Union evolved from Connections, a school-within-a-school program serving highly able students. Cooperation among three departments…