This article features Doing What Works (DWW), the largest, most comprehensive, and most insightful repository of effective, research-based instructional practices and other resources currently available to educators. It is a principal's free ticket to accessing an abundance of research-based best practices and school improvement. DWW covers a wide…

"Surprise! Here come the preschoolers." Thousands of elementary principals are receiving a similar message from their supervisors as the concept of universal preschool is propelled to the forefront of the national education agenda. School districts across the country are being infused with wide varieties of federal- and state-funded…

Much has been written during the past decade about the changing role of the principal and the shift in emphasis from manager to instructional leader. Anyone in education, and especially principals themselves, could develop a mental list of responsibilities that fit within each of these realms. But research makes it clear that both those aspects of…

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…

After a tragic event, suicide, or violent act of revenge that occurs as a result of frequent bullying, the public is outraged at school employees who they think did nothing to prevent it. The public asks the obvious questions: How come nobody cared enough to do something to stop it? How could the staff be so heartless and callous? Where were the…

The continually changing role of the principal has created a complex position of leadership requiring more data for more skills than traditional methods of evaluation or feedback can provide. The purpose of this article is to question the process of providing beneficial and meaningful feedback for educational leaders so that they can reach their…

As the demands on school leaders expand, it's becoming more and more important to lead from one's strengths. The authors' review of literature on essential school leadership responsibilities led them to write "Differentiated School Leadership: Effective Collaboration, Communication and Change through Personality Type," which revealed 26 separate…

Amid crossing currents of educational expectations pressing on principals, the author advocates for enhancing inclusion of the visual and performing arts. Although electives and clubs provide arts exposure to a selected few, many students do not receive consistent and high-quality arts experiences. Carefully planned, interdisciplinary arts…

Teachers who are positive deviants are the most effective teachers, able to produce results and solutions to problems that others in the learning community cannot. As a result, students in their classrooms usually produce assessment scores that are higher than those of students in their colleagues' classrooms. Teachers willing to learn from their…

Schools are increasingly asked to expand their role in meeting the needs of all students. They are asked to provide a blend of synergistic ideas that are both traditional and progressive while dealing with huge differences in skill levels. The response of K-8 principals to this challenge can make all the difference in the world to children being…

An important first step in addressing any public health crisis is raising public awareness. However, getting everyone on board to help solve the underlying causes of that crisis is a daunting task. The childhood obesity epidemic poses such a challenge, particularly in terms of how to best engage and assist principals and other school leaders in…

Describes the complex and demanding job of being the principal of a rural elementary school. (PKP)

Based on National Association of Elementary School Principals 1987 survey data, this article presents a profile of the "typical" K-8 principal--White, male age 47, politically conservative, with a masters degree, 11 years' experience as principal, and considerable job satisfaction. Women are gaining representation, but not minorities.…

A beginning principal compares her position's responsibilities with those of assistant principal. Principals should treat all teachers fairly, listen carefully, give people a chance to explain, overprepare for meetings, envision outcomes, put praise in writing, show up at school functions and classroom activities, attend to details, build…

"How Is Your Day Going?" We get asked this question many times a day and our response can determine not only how others view us, but can even impact the frame of mind of the person who asked it. If you say, "Things are great! How about you?" you have sent a positive message. But if you respond, "Not so great. That Jimmy Wallace is getting on my…