The daily demands on school principals require clear and consistent feedback, and without a mentor, a new principal may not have this type of assistance. This phenomenological study explores the perceptions of new principals and their assigned mentors in one legislated initiative, named by the researcher as the Vermont mentoring…

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have become increasingly popular in schools. PLCs are groups of teachers, administrators, parents, and students who collaborate to improve their practices and focus on results (DuFour, 2004). Grade-level and department teachers participate in regularly scheduled collaborative team meetings; however, many…

This study explored how untenured teachers define the concept of "teacher leadership" and how this understanding is evidenced in day-to-day practice. Results suggest that new teachers view "teacher leadership" as activities necessary for promotion to higher-level administrative roles. Much less consideration was given to the…

Presents the Quality Reading Program Questionnaire, which has been used in more than 100 school districts to evaluate or improve existing reading programs. (Author/WD)

The YDP started in 1971 with a grant to establish guidelines for institutional change which would help disaffected students who had feelings of alienation, rejection, and powerlessness. Article considered two of its successful programs. As well student involvement in decision making was discussed. (Author/RK)

Offers recommendations about how to evaluate student activity programs. (JM)

Claiming that there's an aura of dissatisfaction with the present pre- and inservice programs for principals, the writer reports his findings about existing programs and suggested improvements. (Editor)

The primary purpose of this study is to determine a preliminary national percentage of students who are "504-only." The survey data reveal that 504-only students represent 1.2% of the public school population. There is a significant difference in the 504-only percentage with regard to school level, with middle and high schools having a…

A study conducted in an Illinois metropolitan school district explored four dimensions of school-based management implementation: school leadership, school climate, student achievement, and community involvement. Survey data from 176 teachers, 42 parents, and 6 administrators revealed that length of program involvement positively influenced…

An alternative program, the authors believe, can be successful only with the full support of the principal. Charts the attitudes of 63 Philadelphia principals toward their city's alternative schools. (Editor/RK)

This article looks at the problem of why so few students, in certain schools, complete accelerated math programs. Hard facts and student opinion are combined here to give insight into the situation. The author suggests ways to salvage an accelerated mathematics program if an attrition problem exists. (Editor)

This paper presents a model using an educational strategy employed in a New Hampshire high school and suggests that this model, and other learning models, can be more widely applied in social problem solving, particularly before sanctions based on medical and legal models are employed. (Editor)

A survey to determine the feelings of sudents attending a new middle school showed a decline in motivation among eighth graders. A majority of parents agreed that school discipline should be stricter. (LD)