Background: Despite effective solutions to reduce teen birth rates, Texas teen birth rates are among the highest in the nation. School districts can impact youth sexual behavior through implementation of evidence-based programs (EBPs); however, teen pregnancy prevention is a complex and controversial issue for school districts. Subsequently, very…

Presents suggestions which can serve as guidelines for the secondary level principal when a remedial reading program is being set up. (JM)

A principal/counselor partnership in a small Colorado high school uses a microcomputer to enhance their roles and effectively provide services for the school and students. They have developed a unique needs assessment process, a word processing program for senior letters of recommendation, and a database on gifted and talented programs. (MD)

To support concepts such as teacher empowerment, school improvement plans, and site-based decision making, principals must learn how to lead or work with small groups. Each project team must have a champion (usually the principal), assigned members, a name, a district goal, desired outcomes, critical parameters, a time frame, resources, processes,…

The Mentor School System (Ohio) recreated the role of department coordinator in all its secondary schools to develop a cadre of instructional leaders to break down the barriers between administrators and the classroom. (MD)

Although counselors traditionally prefer individual counseling sessions with students, group sessions may be more effective. Provides five steps by which the principal can help counselors make this transition to group counseling. Includes 13 references. (Author/MD)

Schools can no longer act alone as surrogate parents. First appearing in Florida's innovative legislation, the full-service school concept is catching on in several other states. Full-service schools integrate education, medical, social, and/or human services to meet families' needs in easily accessible locations. Primary health centers are key…

A survey was conducted by the Kansas State Department of Education to ascertain the present status of foreign language instruction in the secondary schools and to learn the opinions of district and building administrators and of teachers regarding future program direction and areas in which assistance may be needed for better program…

Drawing from research and practice, this article describes some benefits of interdisciplinary curriculum, identifies implementation barriers, and underscores the principal's pivotal role. Each principal must be visionary and knowledgeable; function as cheerleader and coach; and provide opportunities for teachers, students, and parents to develop…

The guide describes the development and first year implementation of a program for talented and gifted secondary students. Addressed are the following topics (sample subtopics in parentheses): project history (objectives, initial workshops); teacher selection; teacher role and function (self evaluation); principal's role; the counselor's role;…

This paper analyzes the planning and implementation of a foundation-sponsored fellowship program designed to provide urban secondary school principals with opportunities for inservice professional development. The discussion is presented in the form of a case study that uses data gathered through questionnaires, interviews, and participant…

Extracurricular activities have enhanced the lives of students through the years and continue to provide students with additional skills they need to succeed in school and life. This paper offers an extensive literature review of the effect of extracurricular activities on student development and offers a plan for extending successful…

Comparison of data from a survey of private high schools sponsored by the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the Council for American Private Education with data from a companion survey of public high schools conducted by NIE and the National Association of Secondary School Principals provides the basis for this collection of…

Approximately 20,000 eighth-and eleventh-grade students in Texas were tested on nine career education objectives; (1) career planning and decision making; (2) occupational information; (3) job acquisition and retention; (4) work attitudes; (5) human relations skills; (6) self evaluation; (7) personal responsibilities; (8) economic factors; and (9)…

Thirteen authors present twelve articles concerning the development of basic skills programs in secondary schools. These articles focus on the following topic areas: practices and strategies for teaching basic skills in secondary classrooms; language as a factor in basic skills learning; development of skills in oral communication, reading,…