The 21st Century Principal

The essays in this volume examine the future of public schooling in the United States and what it will mean to be a leader in public schools. It focuses on the issues most likely to have an impact on American society within the next 20 years. The essays are as follows: "Introduction" (Milli Pierce, Deborah L. Stapleton); "The Limits of Change" (Richard F. Elmore); "The Six Principles of Effective Accountability" (Douglas B. Reeves); "The Challenge of a Changing Nation" (Marcelo M. Suarez-Orozco); "Does More Choice Mean Less Equity?" (Chester E. Finn, Jr.); "Closing the Achievement Gap" (Belinda Williams); "Using Afterschool Programs to Raise Achievement" (Gil G. Noam); and "Learning to Challenge Assumptions" (Richard Rothstein). Some essays are followed by responses by other authors. All essays are followed by suggested discussion questions. (WFA).

Veteran educators Seifert and Vornberg utilize the six standards created by the Interstate School Leaders Consortium (ISLLIC) and used in developing and redesigning preparation programs and state certification examinations to discuss those issues faced by practicing elementary and secondary school principals. Each chapter begins with a short case study emanating from a fictitious school district and culminates with student activities that address the concepts discussed in the chapter. Questions and activities follow and provide the reader with an opportunity to apply the concepts discussed. This design makes it an ideal text for use with principal certification programs offered by higher education units and other alternative certification programs. The practice of the principalship is viewed by the authors as a systematic process that addresses the operation of a school as a set of interrelated parts and skills that work together to create a self-correcting model of student learning, teaching, and stakeholder participation. An instructor's manual is available as a separate publication.

"The Schooling of a 21st Century Principal" traces the author's journey to the principalship, a career goal nowhere to be found on his bucket list. He took the reins knowing his middle school faced some daunting tasks; however, he would soon discover that it was the extraordinary events, changes, and challenges of a new millennium that would present the greatest arc of learning on the job. Michael Cahill led his building using a collaborative team approach, a style that sustained him in his first year during the dark days of 9/11 and throughout his school's exponential growth, evolving student needs, and radical reforms. Indeed, a reformation in education was underway in schools across the nation. This compelling and unique memoir offers a personal and rare inside glimpse into the evolving and formidable roles and responsibilities principals face in a world of shifting social norms, rising expectations, demoralized teachers, technology dependence, cyberbullying, school shootings, and mounting student mental health distress.

Focuses on the changing context of education; the changing nature of self-managing schools; their own leadership and management skills within this environment.

An essential handbook for educating students in the 21st century, since its initial publication A Principal's Guide to Special Education has provided guidance to school administrators seeking to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The third edition of this invaluable reference, updated in collaboration with and endorsed by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals and incorporating the perspectives of both teachers and principals, addresses such current issues as teacher accountability and evaluation, instructional leadership, collaborative teaching and learning communities, discipline procedures for students with disabilities, and responding to students' special education needs within a standards-based environment.

Developed for use with the text, this work addresses the six standards created by the Interstate School Leaders Consortium (ISLLIC). Seifert and Vornberg employ case studies to discuss those issues faced by practicing elementary and secondary principals. Each chapter concludes with questions and student activities that address the concepts discussed in the chapter. This instructor's manual is available as a separate publication.