Your school has plans and protocols in place to respond to fires, severe weather, medical emergencies, fights and weapons possession. But what about school incidents like those listed above that involve bigotry and hate? Are plans in place to respond to a bias incident or hate crime? Too often these plans are created in the moment during the…

The revolving-door CEO is becoming a fixture of American companies, and is likely to remain so for some time. With executive tenure at a mere 2.5 years and a CEO turnover rate that increased 11 percent last year, newly hired executives must hit the ground running if they hope to be effective before moving on to their next jobs. Helping them adjust…

The process of hiring for student success is important, as college staff, faculty, and administrators affect the lives of students daily and help to determine their success in college and in life. What is at stake is student success and its infrastructure: the quality of the academic environment, the quality of learning, and services for students,…

In this article, the author presents ten practical reflections for educational leaders. The author states that educational leaders should: (1) know themselves and where they are going; (2) not be overly prepared; (3) link with others; (4) measure their words; (5) take responsibility; (6) keep others informed; (7) maintain their perspective; (8)…

An elected school director works every day as an advocate for public education in his community. At each board meeting, crucial decisions that affect the lives and education of children are made as he determines the needs of the students and families he is accountable to. But are those needs being communicated to his elected representatives in…

Web 2.0 applications and mobile Internet devices have added new issues to the safety/access situation for schools. The purpose of this guide is to assist school districts in developing, rethinking, or revising Internet policies as a consequence of the emergence of Web 2.0, and the growing pervasiveness of smart phone use. The Consortium for School…

"Making the Grade: How Boards Can Ensure Academic Quality"--popularly referred to as "The Little Yellow Book" by boards, faculty, provosts, and assessment specialists--provides clear guidance for the board's role in the most important "business" of academe: educating students. As public calls for greater accountability skyrocket, this new edition…

"Success in the Superintendency" will help new and aspiring superintendents gain meaningful, practical information from award winning, experienced superintendents. The book's ten chapters cover topics identifiable to every superintendent--no matter how many years experience he or she has on the job. The author and editor of the book, Kay T.…

Given the importance of administrative attention to blended learning, this article adumbrates the institutional benefits but also the institutional challenges of this integration of online and on-campus instruction. The reasons for engaging in blended learning determine how it will play out, so the "why" is given precedence over the "how." But…

"Multiple authorizers" refers to situations where more than one entity is able to authorize charter schools in any given community. The presence of multiple authorizers can strengthen a state's charter school sector because a diversity of authorizers can promote professional practices among authorizers and provide checks and balances in charter…

As fiscal, accountability, and enrollment pressures rise, community college presidents need to work more closely and effectively with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels in order to advocate for their schools and students. Colleges will be expected to carry an even greater burden in meeting demands for both increased student…

Great leaders are made, not born. Written by the authors of "From Good Schools to Great Schools," this sequel shows how great school leaders can be developed and how leaders can acquire the powerful personal leadership characteristics that the best administrators use to lead their schools to greatness. Based on sound strategies and the work of Jim…

WICHE (the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) is a regional, nonprofit organization. WICHE and its 15 member states work to improve access to higher education and ensure student success. Its student exchange programs, regional initiatives, and its research and policy work allow it to assist constituents throughout the West and…

Special education litigation remains a volatile area with significant practice implications. A review of the 2010 case law in the "Special Educator" identified discipline (manifestation determination, seclusion and restraints, harassment), evaluation/RTI, and postsecondary transition as specific areas of concern. School administrators should keep…

The authority to operate a charter school is granted through a limited-term, renewable contract. Contract renewal is not automatic--it must be earned through strong academic results and operational effectiveness. Good schools should be cultivated and poor ones shut down. This is one of the definitive functions of a charter school authorizer. This…