There’s an important reason school leaders should be unapologetic about shaking things up, according to NASSP Digital Principal Brian McCann. “If we’re not going to be risk-takers, how can we expect our students to be?” McCann asked during a session at the 2021 National Principals Conference.
Category: National Principals Conference

‘No Apologies’: 5 Examples of Disruptive Leadership
NPC21 Session Recap: State of American Education
The beginning of the school year is approaching, and with it, a major push to return to normal this fall. At the 2021 National Principals Conference, “The State of American Education” session brought together leading local, state, and federal policymakers and influencers to discuss emerging issues in education policy. The session also featured strategies and […]
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Executive Director Doug Shapiro and NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe Discuss the Impact of COVID-19 on Students
Listen to Their Conversation and Attend the Clearinghouse’s Session at the 2021 NASSP National Principals Conference During a webinar earlier this year, Doug Shapiro, Executive Director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, and Ronn Nozoe, CEO of NASSP, shared their thoughts about two important Research Center reports: The early look at fall enrollment as it pertains […]

Meet the NPC21 Keynote Speakers
As principals and assistant principals prepare for the upcoming school year, the 2021 National Principals Conference (NPC21) provides a time for renewal, engagement, community, and great professional learning from fellow school leaders. The July 14–16 event is virtual and will feature networking, expert-led courses, and breakout sessions. Keynote speakers will address equity, innovation, and wellness: the conference’s […]

Why Diversity and Equity in Content Matters for Reading Growth
A recent survey asked middle level and high school principals to choose the greatest challenge they face with their students’ literacy development. An overwhelming 63% of respondents cited students who were reading below grade level1. This response is not surprising. In 2019, only 34% of eighth grade students performed at or above the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) proficient level2.
Doing School Differently: How Student Agency and Out-Of-The-Box Thinking Will Change Schools Forever
For many years, people have discussed doing school differently. Educators can see how the world has changed—and with it, the needs of our students. This is evident not only in so much of what we see on a daily basis in our classrooms, but also from numerous studies related to engagement and learning.
Taking Time for Self-Care
Principals and assistant principals experience many different pulls on their position as leaders in their building. We wear different hats as leaders. The principal is the managerial leader who ensures that the building operates as efficiently as possible; the instructional leader who evaluates and coaches staff to improve student achievement; the motivational leader who maintains […]
National Principals Conference 2018: A Forum for National Problem-Solving
Guest post by Amber Schroering After the recent Parkland shooting in Florida, I found myself sitting in church and couldn’t bring myself to sing. I just stood there, almost feeling numb, wondering how I could make a difference. I began to feel the same feelings creep in as I read and saw the extent to […]
Solutions for Singletons: Building a Professional Learning Network
Guest post by Abbey Duggins and Amber Schroering If you’ve spent any amount of time building a high school master schedule, you are familiar with the dreaded “singleton.” A singleton happens when just enough students sign up to create one section of a course—usually an AP or obscure world language—and it throws a major wrench […]
Come Together for Student Success
When school leaders from all levels come together to collaborate across the education continuum, all students benefit. The 2018 National Principals Conference™ is the place for K–12 principals to connect with peers, learn from each other’s collective experiences, and cultivate relationships that will last well beyond the conference. In three transformative days, school leaders from […]