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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Blogs on Principals

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An Open Letter to Principals: Five Leadership Strategies for the New Year

Eric SheningerAugust 8, 2011

Tags Leadership, Principals, Professional Learning Network (PLN), All Grades

As the calendar turns to August, school leaders across the country are meticulously planning for the upcoming year. This process has become more difficult as mounting challenges such as budget cuts and what seems like a relentless attack on the profession of education have taken their toll on staff morale. With this being said, quality leadership becomes even more essential in order to cultivate a school culture whose primary focus is on the learning and achievement of each and every student.

Teacher Development Is Key to Closing the Achievement Gap

Brian SimsJuly 22, 2011

Tags Accountability, Achievement Gap, Education Reform, Leadership, Principals, Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Standardized Testing, Teacher Development, All Grades, Illinois

Brian Sims is managing director of training academies at AUSL in Chicago. Betsy Haley Doyle co-authored this blog. She is a manager in The Bridgespan Group's education practice.

Last June, as principals and teachers from 14 Chicago public school "turnarounds," run by the nonprofit Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), gathered at the Academy's leadership summit, there was a moment when the room turned silent. A slide went up comparing the percentage of students achieving annual expected growth at each school to the average score for each school's teachers. The figures were based on a sophisticated teacher evaluation tool, the nationally recognized Danielson framework.

Stop Meeting and Start Connecting and Sharing

Andrew MarcinekJune 7, 2011

Tags Principals, Professional Development, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

Do you ever wonder why we still have faculty meetings? Do you ever walk away from a meeting feeling refreshed and energized about what you just heard? Do you approach these meetings with excitement and genuine wonderment?

How to Work with the Invisible Administrator

Holden ClemensMay 11, 2011

Tags Principals, Teacher Development, All Grades

Holden Clemens (a pseudonym) is a teacher in Springfield, U.S.A. In today's post, he continues his series on practical tips for working with the gamut of exasperating educational archetypes.

I would like to tell you a story about the Invisible Administrator. I know what you are thinking, "Cool! Holden taught at a haunted high school!" Sadly, I taught at a regular high school, but the infrequency that I saw the principal in my school was plenty frightening.

I taught at a high school for a few years and we had a revolving door of principals and assistant principals. There were different reasons why they came and went, but one stayed around for while and that pleased the school board. Not having to search for a principal saved everyone time and money.