Successful superintendents recognize that taking charge is not a one-time event, but a two- or three-year process. Inspired by John J. Gabarro's May 1985 "Harvard Business Review" article, this article identifies five passages (taking hold, immersion, reshaping, consolidation, and refinement) that new superintendents must navigate…

Court-ordered desegregation of a midwestern junior high school was quickly achieved because of staff commitment to the plan, which included a uniform discipline code and staff resolution of ongoing problems. (CJH)

Making sure positive information about the schools is promoted within the community is the job of news liaison persons in each school in a successful network that gets balanced news coverage for schools in Virginia. (MD)

The state of Illinois is encouraging schools to better inspect and evaluate the causes of their pest infestation problems through use of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. This guide reviews the philosophy and organization of an IPM program for structural pests in schools,…

The Indicators of Quality Schools instrument is designed to be used in school self-studies to identify priority areas for improvement or closer study. Uses for the instrument are outlined in this user's guide. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that the staff is oriented to evaluating school practices. The instrument may be completed by small groups…

A videotape that describes what earthquakes are, and examines the disaster planning schools can develop during the first few minutes following an earthquake to assure students and staff survive. The kinds of destruction likely to happen during a damaging earthquake are highlighted. The videotape stresses the need for children and staff to know…

Practical considerations and suggestions (in areas such as first aid, staff protection, and sanitation) for providing services to multiply handicapped children in public schools are provided. (PHR)

This guide provides tools and strategies for recruiting, managing, and using paraeducators in schools. It offers guidelines for using paraeducators in ways that best contribute to student achievement as well as strategies for identifying best practices, time frames, and people best suited for training paraprofessionals. It includes specific…

This study investigates the nature and scope of current staff development activities and their relation to better teaching or school improvement in a representative sample of school districts and private schools in Arizona and southern parts of California and Nevada. Findings are based on telephone discussions with 72 administrators in the region.…

Native educators from around Alaska contributed to the development of guidelines for cross-cultural orientation programs for educators. The guidelines are organized around various roles related to culturally responsive schooling in Alaska. They encourage schools to strive to be reflections of their communities by incorporating and building upon…

This volume addresses five of the critical areas of school business management: planning, organizational management, personnel management, controlling, and directing. The various chapters describe a variety of techniques and processes for getting people to perform effectively in meeting organizational goals. The first section focuses on planning…

Prepared by a state personnel management advisory committee, this document provides a guide to Oregon school districts in the employment, retraining, and retention of both certified and classified (support) staff. An introduction explains that district personnel management functions include determining need and selection, assignment, and…