Discusses the purposes of assessment in programs for young children and the role of assessment in the context of children's lives, parents' concerns, and teachers' and administrators' situations. Also discusses how observation-based assessment can be used as part of a developmentally appropriate assessment process serving children, parents,…

Key elements in successful collaborative schools include focusing on staff involvement, collaborative school norms, collaborative practices and structures, and the principal's role. The article illustrates successful collaboration in one elementary school, noting it involved creating and sustaining a new culture within the school environment. (SM)

Thanks to direct governmental intervention, the role of New Zealand princip1als has changed dramatically as to structural positioning, career path, and professional expectations. Implementation processes engaged principals in new national and local schooling aims and a new political climate for school administration. Principals' responsibility for…

A survey of experienced and new presidents in 32 various colleges revealed that making mistakes is important to learning on the job, including when and how to take action, and when not to. Presidents reported learning about working relationships, contextual differences, the human side of administrative action, and their own limitations.…

Principals can help at-risk students in the middle school by identifying them early; scheduling them with counselors and teachers who can meet their needs; keeping in close contact with teachers about student grades; and offering opportunities for academic success. Finally, the entire staff must support the philosophy that failure is not an…

Institutional researchers and planners can play a key role in the application of Total Quality Management (TMQ) to institutional processes by exciting others about TMQ, exploring with others the possibilities of TMQ, clarifying the principles through application, and crystallizing the benefits through action. (Author/MSE)

Argues that too often public schools appear to focus on keeping order and giving students minimal vocational skills. Maintains that such schools should get out of the newspaper business rather than inculcate students with false conceptions as to what freedom of speech and press encompass--and what it means to be a responsible citizen in a…

A survey of principals of 45 Catholic and 43 non-Catholic Alberta schools found that most agreed generally about their preferred leadership roles. Some significant differences were found between the groups in actual leadership roles, factors impeding the fulfillment of leadership roles, and coping strategies used. (KS)

Explores how a lower school headteacher has developed her own form of leadership in the face of legislated changes to that role. Describes how she created a universalist role for herself, despite conflicting demands. Argues that the complex demands of the role promote the formation of composite forms of leadership. (DSK)

Argues that the academic profession needs to monitor the establishment of posttenure-review systems very closely, even in their apparently most benign form. Suggests that resources poured into a blanket posttenure-review policy would be better spent in rewarding truly productive faculty members. (RS)

Assessing students' achievement of the new national "Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning" is complex and involves the whole school. Assessment should be tied to content learning; measure students' ability to do and know; test real experiences; consider inquiry's overlapping, recursive nature; involve qualitative measures;…

Describes a Canadian principal's efforts to deal with a disruptive child suffering from attention-deficit disorder. Staff focused on creating a positive school experience for Tommy after medication failed to mitigate his outbursts. Next fall, there will be an "acting out" room and additional human resources. (MLH)

Suggests ways that teachers can inspire their colleagues to do quality work, noting what to do and what to avoid. The suggestions include: sharing information but not preaching, walking the talk, creating and sustaining energy within the building, developing a collegial communication style, making connections beyond the building, and promoting…

Examines how a new principal at a historically low-performing high school brought about changes in the school culture and in student achievement. Describes how the principal emphasized achievement at the highest levels through heroes and heroines, rites and rituals, stories, governance and leadership, symbols, enforcing expectations, and serving…

Describes a study of Israeli high school biology teachers that was conducted to determine the concerns and motives of teachers who had persevered in the use of the electronic spreadsheet in their classes, in view of their own perception of their accomplishments. Computer/student ratio and administrative support are also discussed. (LRW)