National Principals Month Is Here
Let’s hear it for principals! The U.S. Senate passed S. Res 607, a resolution drafted by NAESP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals to designate October 2010 as National Principals Month. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-North Dakota, introduced the resolution, which honors elementary, middle, and high school principals for their passion and dedication to students across the country.
Can Schools Take Another Funding Hit?
Last week, congressional Republicans released A Pledge to America, which is their policy agenda for running the country should one or both bodies of Congress switch to a Republican-led majority.
U.S. Economy Depends on a Better Education System
In a recent interview on NBC's "Today" show, President Barack Obama said the United States is falling behind other developed nations in math and science education and that is hurting U.S. economic competitiveness. Obama suggested that the U.S. schools need to get rid of the worst performing teachers and expand the school year (Read more).
Expanding the School Day
Education Week is reporting that "Language in the federal education spending bill for fiscal 2011 would raise funding for a key after-school program, but also open the door to using that money to expand the school day and year—a move that has some after-school advocates worried" (Read the full article).
Defining Effective Principals
In a new proposal that would apply to select federal grant applications, the U.S. Department of Education has again attempted to define “effective” and “highly effective” principals. The definitions, similar to those the department has previously offered, would require student achievement growth to be a measured “in significant part” along with other supplemental measures to evaluate a principal’s efficacy.
NAESP Radio: Engendering Creativity in Students
As the push for accountability reaches high gear, and budget cuts cripple, limit, or eliminate many school arts programs, principals are using innovative instructional methods to engender creativity in their students.
Our Blog: What’s on Your School’s Supply List?
NAESP President Barbara Chester has weighed in on school budget cuts and how they affect school and building supplies in several publications and discussed the issue on NBC’s Today show. “Principals are having to make decisions between textbooks and tissues and unfortunately the lists are looking a lot different than they used to,” said Chester on the Today show.
Principals Share How Financial Constraints Are Affecting Schools
Budget woes have been impacting school districts across the nation, and principals are seeing firsthand the effects cuts and reductions have had on teachers and students. Our September/October My Two Cents question addresses this issue: What’s been the impact of state budget cuts on your school?
In addition to the responses printed in Principal magazine, we received this:
Elementary Schools to Blame for STEM Decline?
In the September/October issue of Principal magazine, author Bill Costello addresses science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and the disparity between American and non-American students’ interest in these su
Grant Opportunity for Community Engagement
Could your school use $5,000 for a community engagement project?
The NAESP Foundation, funded by MetLife Foundation, has launched the Sharing the Dream grant opportunity. Apply today for funding to implement a community engagement program at your school. Projects may vary, but must include a global component. Sample ideas include: linking with other schools overseas using social media technology, involving immigrant parents and families in the school environment, hosting international arts and food festivals, service learning projects, and second language classes for parents and teachers. More details about the Sharing the Dream grant and application process are on the NAESP Foundation Web site.
