Freedom of speech, enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution, is a foundational legal principle in the United States. Within the context of schools, the importance of this cultural value has a longstanding history (e.g., Tinker v. Des Moines, 1969). That said, courts have identified instances where the speech rights of students can be […]
Legal Matters: April 2025
Education PolicyFirst Amendment
Creating Just Communities
The anthropologist Margaret Mead famously wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” As a school leader, I hold onto these words with fierce conviction. In a world where calls for universal, quality education or the equal rights of […]
Belongingdiversity equity and inclusionLGBTQ+LGBTQ+ School Leaders Networkschool culture
The Secret to Sustained Student Council Success
The student council at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, VA, has been recognized as a National Council of Excellence 15 times, ever since the school first opened. The award recognizes student councils for implementing a strong leadership program that meets council goals; functioning in an ethical and responsible way; and engaging others in leadership, spirit, […]
Elevating Student VoiceNational Student CouncilNatStuCoNCOESchool LeadershipStudent leadership
News Releases
Building CultureCollaborative LeadershipCommunicationCurriculum, Instruction, & AssessmentsEquityEthicsGlobal-mindednessHuman Capital ManagementInnovationReflection & GrowthResults-OrientationStrategic ManagementVision & MissionWellness
Social Justice Training to Combat Inequities
The 2020–21 school year was grueling in a variety of ways. During a time of pandemic and social-political upheaval, schools felt the impact on their social-emotional landscape. Upon their fall 2020 return to campus from COVID-19 closure, educators and school leaders began to suspect that great work needed to be done. Northwest High School’s Story […]
Equitysocial justicestudent voice
Legal Matters: December 2019
An Oklahoma student was sent home because school officials believed her dreadlocks distracted from a respectful environment. A school in Ohio faced criticism for banning “Afro puffs” and small twisted braids, and a North Carolina school came under scrutiny when students were forbidden from wearing African head wraps. A boy in Mississippi was suspended after […]
BelongingEducation Policy
Activity 6: What Keeps You Up at Night?
Activities for Collaborative Staff Conversations This activity is designed as a series of collaborative conversations for school leadership team members (administrative, grade level, steering, instructional, etc.) to improve their practice in resolving complex problems by using appropriate and legal actions. In doing so, school leaders/administrators use informed judgment to resolve the issues that affect 21st-century […]
Building CultureCollaborative LeadershipCommunicationLeading LearningRelationships
Principals Respond to New GLSEN Survey Report on Harassment of LGBT Students
Reston, VA – NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti issued the following statement on the release of the GLSEN report From Teasing to Torment: School Climate Revisited: The principal’s primary responsibility is to create and sustain a school environment in which each student is known, accepted and valued, cared for and encouraged to be an active and […]