Leadership

5 ways principals can be strong leaders in the new school year

Planning for the new school year can be difficult when faced with budget cuts and other challenges, writes high-school principal Eric Sheninger. However, school leadership becomes more important in turbulent times and he suggests school leaders take time before school starts to finalize strategies for focusing a school on student learning and achievement. His five tips: Don't make excuses, articulate a clear vision to staffers, utilize a 21st-century curriculum, improve professional development and make use of available support systems. Edutopia.org/Eric Sheninger's blog (8/8)

The changing role of a school principal Not all of the increased accountability faced by today's educators is bad, Peter DeWitt, an elementary-school principal, writes in this blog post. On the positive side, Common Core State Standards, along with mandates for teacher and administrator evaluations, have changed the principal's role. That role changed from perceived disciplinarian to a leader who guides teachers, helps students, communicates with parents, models innovative educational practices and creates a culture of respect in the school. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (6/27)

**New website helps school leaders use data to improve instruction** Posted By jfesta On December 22, 2010 (10:56 am) In [|Featured Site of the Week] The Center for Public Education has launched a new website, Data-first.org, designed to help school leaders use data and research to improve student learning and school effectiveness. "School board members and others need solid evidence and facts in order to make tough decisions," said Patte Barth, the center's director. Article taken from eSchoolNews.com - [|h! ttp://www.eschoolnews.com] URL to article: []