A principal can provide support for beginning teachers by gaining specific knowledge of each teacher's curriculum, by developing rapport, and by encouraging teachers in seven key areas. Rapport is built with friendly, solicitous behavior and a lot of listening; it can be destroyed by too much criticism, insensitivity, and aloofness. A principal…

The use of volunteers is one answer to the short supply of human and financial resources in our nation's secondary schools. There is evidence that volunteer programs planned with broad based faculty-student involvement greatly enrich classroom activities. The principal holds a key role in assuring the success of volunteer programs by coordinating…

This serial issue deals with how to integrate a whole language approach in secondary schools. Following a short outline of the differences between whole language principles and skills-based precepts, key tenets of whole language are briefly discussed. The next section of the issue deals with principal-teacher partnerships, and these are followed…

Homework policies and guidelines are the topics outlined in this article. Homework policies should address the amount of homework and amount of school time available to do the homework. Guidelines for grading homework are also discussed. It is recommended that teachers should prepare a written description of homework practices for the principal.…

Two challenges that confront principals attempting to generate effective collaborative planning time with teachers are examined in this document: altering the conventional schedule and ensuring productive use of planning time. Principals, superintendents, and other educators were interviewed about the techniques and outcomes of these two aspects.…

The grievance procedure in higher education and the problem of conflict resolution are approached from a multi-dimensional standpoint. Collective bargaining is presented as both an exacerbator of the litigious nature of college and university relations and as a formal vehicle for conflict resolution within academe. The need for extra-contractual…

This document consists of four issues of the "Journal of Educational Relations' published quarterly during 1996. The journal's motto is "Promoting student achievement through positive school-home-community relationships." Articles in the first issue of this volume include: "The Electronic Superintendent" (James Donlevy and…

Strategies for principals in supervising marginal teachers are described. Procedures for handling three types of marginal teachers are addressed, which depend on the causes of teacher ineffectiveness. Causes include lack of training, personal problems, and poor attitude. Conclusions are that principal action is necessary to maintain school…

Suggestions for first-year teacher guidance and orientation by principals are offered in this bulletin. Principals' basic assumptions about teacher orientation should focus on direct assistance or assistance through colleagues to support their development. Recommendations stress positive reinforcement, collegial support, and providing…

A bargaining process, begun over 10 years ago, is based on problem-solving rather than on adversarial confrontation and uses elements of participative management. It has resulted in outstanding benefits for two school districts. Called "Theory Z bargaining," the process follows a procedure based on each side treating the other with…

The contradiction in instructional supervisors' roles between helping and rating teachers raises questions about the nature of supervisory authority. Three novels--Golding's "Lord of the Flies," Huxley's "Brave New World," and Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"--illustrate the general problem of combining…

This document is comprised of the four 1996 and 1997 issues of a newsletter for members of the North American Montessori Teachers Association (NAMTA) providing practical guidance on putting Montessori theory into classroom practice. The March 1996 issue features an article on offering variety in the Montessori classroom to stimulate student…

In shared decision making (SDM), principals collaborate with teachers and sometimes parents to take actions aimed at improving instruction and school climate. While research on SDM outcomes is still inconclusive, the literature shows that SDM brings both benefits and problems, and that the principal is a key figure. This brief offers a sampling of…

This article examines first discusses the three components of clinical supervision: (1) the planning conference; (2) the six steps of observation; and (3) the meeting with the teacher to analyze and interpret data as well as to reach decisions about alternatives, changes, and resolutions for future efforts by the teacher. Four approaches involving…

The role of the academic dean, role conflicts, and the occupational experiences and performance of deans are considered. Role conflict for academic deans is related to clashing constituencies, role ambiguity, lack of correspondence between organization requirements and the personalities of incumbent deans, changing organizational needs over time,…