Studies have demonstrated the dramatic impact small discretionary funding can have on a school. Grant funding allows school leaders to think creatively by developing unique solutions to today's educational challenges. This article presents strategies that principals, faculty, parents, and advisory groups can follow to attract grant funding that…

The challenge of retaining beginning teachers, particularly in shortage areas such as special education, math, and science, has long been the focus of both research and special induction programs at universities and in school districts. The difficulty of retaining mid-career teachers, however, has received little attention in comparison. Such…

Many school principals say that the toughest part of the day is recess. That's because recess is when most trouble starts. When the author asked one principal recently about recess, she promptly rattled off a list of headaches, such as "the teasing, the fights, the bullying, the injuries, the referrals." In this article, the author describes…

Schools and districts routinely recruit, retain, and support highly qualified teachers to ensure that students receive the best learning opportunities. However, even if one's school employs highly qualified full-time teachers, it is important to acknowledge that substitute teachers also have a significant impact on the education of students. One…

Lists the components of an inservice program on school safety and liability: discussions of current trends, legal terminology, specific cases, tort liability, and a safety survey of the environment and teaching practices. (Author/JM)

It is important for school administrators and teachers to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse--physical, sexual, and emotional. Principals need to promote the awareness of child abuse with the faculty, and promptly report all cases to the appropriate agencies. References, lists of films and videocassettes, and information sources are…

Describes Georgia principal's efforts to integrate student with AIDS into her school community. Coomer's plan succeeded because few people knew boy's identity, teachers were willing to accept child as any other, and an educational program effectively briefed staff and parents. Three years later, child is articulate, hard working, but sick, and…

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that public schools may be sued for failing to confront students who harass their classmates. This article explains the ruling, defines three levels of peer harassment, and outlines guidelines for school officials. Swift investigations and legally defensible policies and procedures are essential. (MLH)

A Florida student suicide case alleging administrative and school board negligence had mixed results. School officials must be vigilant about the possibility of student suicide and put appropriate procedures into place. The connections to school may include confidential communications, curricular linkages (educational films and student journals),…

Recent federal rulings suggest that schools can no longer ignore student-to-student sexual harassment. Harassing behavior is a warning sign that the harasser may be a sexual abuse victim or an incipient juvenile sex offender. Bullying and sexual harassment are not the same. Guidelines for administrators are included. (MLH)

Just as athletic coaches match children's size to appropriately sized gear, children using computers need suitably sized furniture and hardware. Just as coaches use appropriately timed warmups and breaks, teachers should establish healthy work habits for computer users in their classes. Tips and equipment specifications are provided. (MLH)

Newly hired principals are advised to organize their offices, locate key work-related items (schedules and rosters), get the support of key staff and faculty, contact the parent organization president, get to know their students, move slowly when implementing change, establish a few visible and popular goals, sponsor a school fund raiser, and…

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. When reauthorized in 2004 it maintained the IDEA acronym although it is now the Individuals with Disabilities Education "Improvement" Act. The federal government further demonstrated its emphasis on…

Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism, affects children's ability to learn, and can disrupt an entire classroom. Principals must learn about this incurable, yet manageable illness and ensure school compliance with state and federal regulations. This means identifying asthmatic children, developing a schoolwide emergency plan, and…

A bit of kindness can make a principal lifelong hero or heroine in child's memory. Principals can create joy and happiness for students by working with them on plays, calling child's parents to praise positive achievement, publishing children's poems and drawings in the district newsletter, displaying student art work on bulletin boards, and…