The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe, analyze, and interpret the experiences of school principals who use multiple social media tools with stakeholders as part of their comprehensive communications practices. Additionally, it examined why school principals have chosen to communicate with their stakeholders through social media.…

This multiple-site case study examined distributed leadership practices of three middle school principals, using observations, interviews, and document analysis. Findings disclosed that the principals built on the interdisciplinary teaming structure to develop empowering organizational structures that promoted democratic governance. Employing…

Simple surveys can provide administrators with information on what employees want to tell the public and on what the public wants to know about the schools. On the whole, the public wants to know specific information about educational programs and activities. A list of typical kinds of stories is included. (Author/IRT)

Clearly established procedures for sending, receiving, and responding to e-mail begin with planning and scheduling its use. Administrators should make appropriate choices of communication methods; use the address-book feature for individual and group e-mail addresses; use word-processing software to prepare lengthy documents and the attachment…

Administrators can avoid legal and personnel problems by ensuring that staff members, students, and parents clearly understand school board policies and procedures. Five steps are essential: adoption of official policy, policy dissemination, policy interpretation, development of handbooks, and action to ensure thorough communication with affected…

To become effective communicators, school leaders must acquire numerous skills, including understanding and practicing communication as a two-way process, aligning the three communication codes (language, paralanguage, and nonverbal messages) to ensure clarity of meaning, and selecting appropriate communication channels to enhance message impact.…

Outlines 8 essential components of the communication process and defines 10 categories of questions covered by a communications evaluation instrument, including communications ethics, climate, channels, methods, timing, message content, feedback, information sources, types of information needed, and supervisor-subordinate communication. Provides…

Describes the development of a program that improved communication among pupil personnel department workers in a high school. (IRT)

Despite time restraints and lack of training, principals are responsible for mounting some kind of public relations effort in their schools. This article provides a checklist for building a successful campaign, including polling staff talents, reaching out to the community, obtaining district assistance, and making the right approach. (MLH)

Any plan to create a communications/governance structure to empower stakeholders must address several questions: rationale, potential advantages and disadvantages, problems to be considered, format, committee structure and responsibilities, and evaluation techniques. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Although Roosevelt High School (Maryland) boasted an excellent science program and award-winning teachers, colleges in neighboring states were relatively ignorant about the school. In 1985 Roosevelt High's principal, with help from a special committee, developed a distinctive brochure to advertise the school's uniqueness. (MLH)

If administrators want to succeed as decision-makers and provide leadership based on consensus, they must include certain realizations in their political philosophies and strategies. Works on organizational power provide suggestions. (4 references) (CJH)

Presents a theoretical model of internal-external communications and an example of an implementation procedure based on that model. (Author/IRT)

Secretaries are a valuable staff resource for principals if their skills are utilized effectively. Some successful working procedures are suggested. (Author/MLF)