School of Thought Blog

Strengthening Our Capacity to Lead

Guest post by Michele Paine

On the Fourth of July, I had the opportunity to reconnect with a colleague who had just finished her first year as a K–6 principal in a small rural partner school in the Greater Flathead Valley area, where I serve as assistant principal in one of its high schools. Over margaritas, we laughed about our school year, each of us sharing “lessons learned” during the year. While she serves an elementary school and I serve a high school, we found that our lessons could apply universally. (more…)

October 11, 2016

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

National Principals Month

National Principals Month continues moving along with NASSP co-hosting an event on Capitol Hill this week entitled “Revolutionizing School Leadership Under ESSA.” As states and districts begin implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), it is important to understand how the law can provide unprecedented support for principals and other educators. This event will bring in current and former principals and educators to discuss both the policy and practitioner perspective on how to best support school leadership to improve school outcomes. (more…)

October 11, 2016

Education Policy Other

Recruiting Allies: How Angry Parents Present Opportunities to Develop Beneficial Partnerships

Guest post by Jayne Ellspermann

Every administrator has encountered an angry parent who calls the school or comes in demanding a conference. These difficult moments can be a struggle for many of us, and we question what is the best way to deal with these people and situations. In my experience as principal, I have learned that angry or upset parents are an opportunity to develop a partnership benefiting all stakeholders.

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October 6, 2016

Other

Lunch as Learning: A Commitment to Excellence

Guest post by Lesley Corner

Before the 2016–2017 school year, Camden High School provided after-school tutorials and after-school homework centers for English and math. These methods of academic assistance increased student achievement, but we couldn’t reach some of the students who needed the most help due to their after-school obligations or transportation issues. After extensive research and school visits, we remodeled our schedule to include academic assistance during the school day for all students. Our model includes two types of assistance: Individual Learning Time (ILT) and Structured Learning Time (SLT). (more…)

October 4, 2016

Collaborative Leadership Leading Learning

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

National Principals Month

National Principals Month is finally here! To better understand the role and responsibilities of principals, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is conducting its Principal Shadowing Week from October 24–27. Principal Shadowing Week allows senior staff at ED the chance to learn firsthand from NASSP members. If any members in the Maryland, Virginia, or D.C. area are interested in having an ED staffer shadow them, you can email Zach Scott for more information. (more…)

October 3, 2016

Education Policy Other

Happy National Principals Month

As our organizations focus on educators and their leadership, we are reminded every day of their excellence in the community. We are also aware that all too often principals, who are key to the success of our students, schools, and teachers around the nation, are not given the appreciation or support they deserve. (more…)

October 3, 2016

Other Recognition

Getting New Teachers off to the Right Start: The New Teacher Jump Start

Guest post by Rachel Heide

What support can districts provide to new teachers to help them adjust to the school community and the demands of the profession?

Two vital components for producing positive student outcomes are recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. According to a 2015 U.S. Department of Education study on public school teacher attrition and mobility rates, as new teachers move toward their fifth year of teaching, the rate of attrition nears 20 percent (IES, 2015). When nearly one in five teachers is leaving the profession by his or her fifth year of teaching, schools run the risk of losing talented teachers who could be making the needed impact toward positive student outcomes. Finding ways to retain the talented teachers we hire has become an imperative, and this was identified as a key ingredient for meeting the needs of students during a period of population growth at Erie Middle School.

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September 27, 2016

Building Culture Human Capital Management Leading Learning Other Principal/Teacher Preparation Relationships Strategic Management

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

Inside the Beltway

What’s going on in Washington?

A potential government shutdown continues to loom on the horizon as it appears that Senate talks for a short-term continuing resolution have broken down. Early last week, all signs pointed to a budget bill that would fund the federal government until early to mid-December. However, by the end of the week Senate Republicans released their own funding proposal that Democratic Senators and Representatives refuse to support. The Senate plans to continue negotiations this week. (more…)

September 26, 2016

Education Policy Other

Payson High School, Part 2: Building a School Culture of Responsibility through Embedded Intervention

Guest post by Jeff Simon

Last week, I discussed the importance of building a positive school culture by utilizing a one-hour lunch period for clubs and activities that foster school pride and for innovative labs that encourage enthusiasm for learning. This week, I will share how we’ve built a culture of personal responsibility at Payson High School by providing a positive support system for student learning through embedded intervention.

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September 20, 2016

Collaborative Leadership Leading Learning

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

Inside the Beltway

What’s going on in Washington?

On September 13, the NASSP State Principals of the Year went to Capitol Hill to advocate for increased funding for Title II and Title IV of the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) as well as loan forgiveness for school leaders and increased professional development opportunities for teachers and principals when implementing career and technical education programs. (more…)

September 19, 2016

Education Policy Other

Ring in Student Success with Breakfast After the Bell

Guest post by Mieka Sanderson

Millions of low-income students miss out on school breakfast every day. Not having this important morning meal leaves students fatigued and distracted by hunger pangs. Research shows that food-insecure students are more often tardy, absent, and distracted in the classroom. Studies indicate that increasing school breakfast participation can play a key role in boosting student’s health and academic achievement.

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September 15, 2016

Building Culture Equity nutrition Wellness

Celebrate National Principals Month

As we all know, principal leadership is an essential fuel within schools that ultimately determines optimal student and school performance and success. But we also know that principals and the work they do in schools around the country are too often overlooked. (more…)

September 14, 2016

Other Recognition

Payson High School, Part 1: Building a Positive Culture of School Pride and Enthusiasm for Learning

Guest post by Jeff Simon

Indiana Jones was my hero growing up—I wanted to be just like him. And now, as high school administrator, I get to do that every day, because not only did Indiana Jones study culture, he taught it to inquisitive minds and instilled passion in curious students to become lifelong learners.

Principals know that as the culture goes, so does the school. From Day 1, our administrative goal at Payson High School has been to build a culture that focuses on pride in our school and enthusiasm for learning. (more…)

September 13, 2016

Collaborative Leadership Leading Learning

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

Inside the Beltway

What’s going on in Washington?

On August 31, the U.S. Department of Education released proposed regulations on the supplement, not supplant provisions of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), recently revised by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Public comments will be accepted until November 7, and the final regulations are expected to be issued before President Obama ends his term in office in January 2017. (more…)

September 12, 2016

Education Policy Other

Supplement, Not Supplant Proposed Regulations Released

On August 31, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) released proposed regulations on the supplement, not supplant provisions of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as recently revised by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The USED will now consider public comments until November 7 with the goal of issuing final regulations before the end of the Obama Administration.

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September 9, 2016

Building Culture Education Policy elementary and secondary education act Equity federal funding Other

#ThankAPrincipal Video Contest is Back

This October marks another year celebrating National Principals Month, which means another year of amazing dance moves and lip syncing from our video contest entries.

To celebrate National Principals Month, we are encouraging principals and advisers to get their students involved in creating a video that speaks to all the great things their principal does for the school and community. (more…)

September 7, 2016

Other Recognition student projects

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

Inside the Beltway

What’s going on in Washington?

Next week, Congress returns from summer recess with a long list of legislative priorities and a small window to complete these tasks ahead of the November elections. One of the biggest questions is: How will Congress tackle the FY17 budget? (more…)

September 6, 2016

Education Policy Other

Developing a Discipline Philosophy: Eagle Pride

Guest post by Cameron Soester

For years many schools have adopted common instructional language, which has produced some amazing results. At Milford Public Schools we have taken a similar approach to adopting common discipline language. Though other programs exist that guide leadership teams to develop a discipline philosophy, we took a path less traveled and made Eagle Pride, a one-of-a-kind customized program for our preK–12 students. (more…)

September 6, 2016

Leading Learning Results-Orientation

Recognizing Student Success: Creating a Positive Culture for Students

Guest post by Matthew Younghans

Motivation and success are what drive individuals in any profession. In the school setting, it is critically important that we celebrate and recognize the outstanding things that students accomplish, both inside and outside of the building. Watching students grow and accomplish their goals is one of the main reasons most go into education, myself included. The recognition of students fosters strong relationships among students, families, faculty, and the community and creates a positive school culture where students feel valued. (more…)

August 30, 2016

Building Culture

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

Inside the Beltway

What’s going on in Washington?

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced on August 18 the three principals who will serve as Principal Ambassador Fellows during the 2016–17 school year. The Principal Ambassador Fellowship (PAF) program was launched in 2013 to highlight the voice of the principal within the education community and the country at large. (more…)

August 29, 2016

Education Policy Other