One of the most important aspects of a healthy school--and one that, unfortunately, often falls by the wayside--is indoor air quality. The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that more than 15,000 schools nationwide report suffering from poor indoor air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, schools with poor…

Much has been written during the past decade about the changing role of the principal and the shift in emphasis from manager to instructional leader. Anyone in education, and especially principals themselves, could develop a mental list of responsibilities that fit within each of these realms. But research makes it clear that both those aspects of…

Teachers who are positive deviants are the most effective teachers, able to produce results and solutions to problems that others in the learning community cannot. As a result, students in their classrooms usually produce assessment scores that are higher than those of students in their colleagues' classrooms. Teachers willing to learn from their…

The second edition of NAESP's "Leading Learning Communities: What Principals Should Know and Be Able To Do" features new strategies to help principals structure and support learning communities to develop the whole child, prepare students for a changing global economy and society, rethink the learning day by bridging school and community, and make…

When 504 public school secretaries were interviewed concerning their jobs, most expressed satisfaction with their work and their bosses. A small percentage suggested improvements in office efficiency. Most disliked nursing or disciplinary duties and telephone problems. Included are 10 tips to help secretaries. (MLH)

Based on National Association of Elementary School Principals 1987 survey data, this article presents a profile of the "typical" K-8 principal--White, male age 47, politically conservative, with a masters degree, 11 years' experience as principal, and considerable job satisfaction. Women are gaining representation, but not minorities.…

The coprincipals of a California elementary school share their ideas for building a successful job-sharing partnership. They suggest it is important to find the right partner, develop and present a job-sharing proposal, establish systems of communication with each other, evaluate one's progress, focus on the principalship, and provide leadership…

Careful planning can help principals manage two schools without eroding their sanity. Two-school principals should use color-coding to keep meetings straight, devise a work schedule that accommodates both schools, develop a workable off-campus communication system, eat lunch with students, and create a card-and-candy student-recognition system.…

Procrastinators harbor unrealistic attitudes that promote needless delay and engender obstructive feelings such as performance anxiety, low frustration tolerance, and resentment. Common procrastination pitfalls include escapism, overpreparation, overwork, overcommitment, poor work conditions, and rationalization. Planning and prioritizing helps…

Projects a "typical" future teacher's career path, based on current teacher-education developments. She will be a highly motivated student, major in an academic subject, enter a highly selective teacher-education program, pursue challenging coursework, get adequate field experience, enter a professional-development-school internship, and develop…

The 1998 study of the K-8 principal shows that the principal's role, revolving about staff supervision, student discipline, marketing, and community/political interactions, has become increasingly diverse and complex. The 42% turnover rate will probably continue into the next decade. Today, 42% of K-8 principals are women, compared to 20% in 1988.…