Survival Kit for the Elementary School Principal: With Reproducible Forms, Checklists & Letters Book

	About This Resource	vii
Chapter 1	Your Role as Principal	1
	The Nature of the Principalship	1
	Define Your Own Belief System	2
	Instructional Leadership	3
	The Importance of Diplomacy	5
	The Need for Positive Community Relations	6
	Learn from Experience	11
	Effective Time-Management Practices	12
	Maintain Perspective	13
Chapter 2	How to Plan for the School Year--Setting Goals and Maintaining Focus	15
	The Power of Goals	15
	Goals Should Make a Difference	15
	Setting Goals--Broad-Based Involvement	16
	The Elements of Well-Designed School Goals	17
	Keep the Ball in the Air	22
	Reporting on Goal Fulfillment	23
	Summary	23
Chapter 3	Shared Decision Making--the Key to a More Effective School	28
	What Is Meant by Shared Decision Making?	28
	What Are the Benefits of Shared Decision Making?	30
	What Do Effective School Councils Do?	30
	What Steps Are Required to Establish a School Council?	41
	What Are the Skills Required for Effective Council Meetings?	49
	The Role of the Principal in Shared Decision Making	53
	How to Assess the Effectiveness of a School Council	55
Chapter 4	Improving Teacher Observation and Evaluation	58
	The Purposes of Supervision and Evaluation	58
	How to Establish a Positive Climate for Teacher Supervision	60
	How to Clarify the Criteria for Supervision and Evaluation	63
	Achieving a Balance Between Formal and Informal Observations	65
	Reviewing Professional Development Plans	65
	The Preobservation Conference	67
	How to Conduct Effective Teacher Observations	67
	The Postobservation Conference--A Time for Sharing and Learning	71
	Other Means of Observation and Evaluation	72
	How to Make the Most of an Annual Evaluation Conference	73
	How to Make Effective Decisions About Rehiring Teachers	81
	How to Deal Effectively with the Marginal Teacher	81
	Evaluating the Supervisory Process	83
Chapter 5	The Principal's Role in Curriculum Development and Renewal	84
	What Is the Curriculum?	84
	Establishing a Time Line for Examining the Curriculum	87
	A Process for Curriculum Renewal	87
	Preparing a Curriculum Document	95
	The Role of Inquiry and Integrated Learning	97
	Curriculum Articulation	99
	Curriculum Supervision and Accommodating Teacher Choice and Flexibility	101
Chapter 6	Assessment in the Elementary School--Purposes and Practices	102
	The Purposes of Assessment	102
	A Few Useful Definitions	103
	Assessment vs. Testing	105
	Gaining Consensus on Learning Outcomes	107
	Aligning Assessment to Instruction	109
	Different Assessments for Different Needs	110
	Steps to Follow in Designing Assessments	122
	A Balanced Approach to Assessment	125
Chapter 7	Using the School Testing Program to Good Advantage	126
	The Purposes of Standardized Testing	126
	Kinds of Standardized Tests Often Given in Elementary Schools	128
	Effective Ways to Approach Testing	130
	Administrative Responsibilities in the School Testing Program	131
	Helping Children Perform Their Best on Standardized Tests	137
	Effective Analysis and Use of Test Results	140
	Understanding the Limitations of Standardized Tests	146
	Reporting the Results of Tests to Parents and Students	147
Chapter 8	Reporting Student Progress to Parents	151
	First Things First--Getting to Know Students	151
	When Should Student Progress Be Reported?	154
	Clarifying Reporting Practices with Teachers	155
	Helping Parents to Understand the School's Reporting System	159
	Improving Progress Reports	159
	Reporting Progress in Special Subject Areas	162
	Tips and Techniques for Holding Effective Parent Conferences	163
	Student Self-Evaluation	170
Chapter 9	Administering Effective Programs for Students with Special Needs	174
	The Role of the Principal in Overseeing Special Services	174
	Identifying Special Needs of Students	179
	Developing a Continuum of Services for Students	181
	The Trend Toward Inclusion	182
	Creating a Pupil Support Team	184
	Prereferral Interventions	188
	Procedures to Follow in Section 504 Referrals	190
	Referral for Special Educational Services	191
	Dealing with the Outcomes of a Special Education Evaluation	192
	Discipline Regulations and Special Education Students	194
	Administering English-as-a-Second-Language Programs	194
	Administering Gifted and Talented Educational Programs	195
	Staff Development Needs in Dealing with Unique Learners	198
	Assessing the Effectiveness of Programs to Meet Special Needs	199
Chapter 10	Student Discipline--Approaches, Alternatives, and Solutions	201
	Causes of Discipline Problems That Principals Are Likely to Encounter	201
	Approaches to Effective Discipline	202
	Elements of a Preventive Discipline Program	203
	Advice for Teachers About Classroom Discipline	215
	The Principal's Role in the School Discipline Program	222
	The Importance of Parent Communication	227
	Alternatives in a School Discipline Program	229
Chapter 11	Improving Your School's Professional Development Program	234
	The Need for Ongoing Professional Development	234
	How to Begin--Conducting a Staff Development Needs Assessment	235
	Staff Development and Behavioral Change	238
	The Principal's Role in Devising a Staff Development Program	239
	Implementing an Effective Staff Development Program	241
	The Faculty Meeting as a Forum for Professional Development	249
	Staff Development for School Service Personnel	250
Chapter 12	Promoting Effective Communication--Internal and External	254
	The Importance of Effective Communication	254
	Keeping the School Staff Informed	255
	Obtain Requested Information in an Organized Fashion	262
	Keeping the Parent Body and the Community Informed	264
	Face-to-Face Communications	267
	Establishing a Network of "Key Communicators"	269
	Communications in Times of Crisis	270
	The Written Letter--A Lost Art	271
Chapter 13	Promoting Positive Parent and Community Relations	275
	Begin with Your Own School Community	275
	Developing Unity of Purpose	277
	The Importance of Availability and Visibility	277
	Working with a Principal's Advisory Council	278
	Establishing Procedures for Handling of Parental Complaints	279
	Developing Programs for the Involvement of Parents	280
	Preparing School Newsletters, Publications, and Bulletins	284
	The Importance of the Role of the School Secretary	285
	Dealing with the Media	286
	Becoming Skillful at Creating Positive Publicity for Your School	288
Chapter 14	Technology and the Elementary School Program	293
	A Working Definition of Technology	293
	Clarifying the Purposes of Technology in the School	294
	Planning for Effective Use of Technology in Schools	295
	Integrating Technology into the General Curriculum	300
	Technology and Educational Reform	300
	Planning for Appropriate Staff Development	301
	Using On-Line Services	303
	Evaluating Content and Software Programs	307
	Ensuring Proper Use, Maintenance, and Inventory of Equipment	311
Chapter 15	Effective Budget Preparation and Control	312
	Planning--The First Step	313
	Preparing Budget Documents	317
	Budget Review and Approval	322
	Implementing and Controlling the Budget	322
	Securing Alternative Means of Funding in Your School	327
	Handling Student Activity Accounts and Disbursements	328
Chapter 16	Maintaining a Clean and Safe School Environment	329
	Caring for the School Building	329
	Maximizing the Use of Building Space	330
	Working with the Custodial Staff	331
	Securing, Storing, and Maintaining an Inventory of Custodial Supplies	332
	Maintaining a Safe and Clean School Site	337
	Improving the Appearance of Indoor Spaces	337
	Long-Term Planning and Capital Projects	338
	Ensuring School Security and Safety	341
Chapter 17	Developing and Implementing Effective Class Placement Policies	346
	Fair and Appropriate Organization of Classes	346
	Inviting Parent Input into Class Placement--Benefits and Drawbacks	348
	Developing Class Lists	348
	Forming Incoming Kindergarten Classes	351
	Dealing with the Retention of Students in a Grade	352
	Announcing Class Placements to Parents	355
	Handling Parent Complaints About Class Placements	355
	Placing Students Who Enter During the School Year	357
	Grouping Students Within Classes	357
	Reviewing and Evaluating Class Placement Practices	358
Chapter 18	Effective and Creative School Scheduling Practices	359
	Setting Goals for the School Schedule	359
	The Effect of the Schedule on the Climate of the School	360
	Defining Premises, Assumptions, and Contractual Considerations	360
	Models and Approaches for School Scheduling	363
	Getting Down to Business--Developing the Master Schedule	368
	Year-Round Schooling--A Growing Trend	372
Chapter 19	Staffing and Hiring--Critical Decisions for Principals	374
	Projecting Staffing Needs	374
	Forming a Selection Committee	375
	Developing a Candidate Profile	377
	Recruiting Suitable Candidates	381
	Paper Screening	381
	Developing Interview Questions	382
	Developing an Interview Schedule	385
	Conducting Interviews	385
	Checking References	388
	Making a Hiring Recommendation	388
	Notifying Applicants of Their Status	390
	Announcing Hiring Decisions to the School Community	390
	Orienting New Staff Members	393
	Evaluating Hiring and Orientation Practices	395
Chapter 20	School Traditions and Ceremonies	396
	Making Schools Great and Memorable with Traditions and Ceremonies	396
	Developing a School Culture	396
	Planning for Ceremonies and Maintaining Traditions	397
	Examples of School Traditions and Ceremonies	398
	Passing Down School Traditions from One Generation to the Next	411
	Index	413