A Collaborative Effort
We recently met with focus groups comprised of the 2010 National Distinguished Principals to discuss a number of issues, one of which was school improvement. As the award-winning principals shared their views about and experiences with getting support staff to buy into improvement efforts, this issue of the magazine—which focuses on the crucial relationships principals must forge—came to mind.

FORGING RELATIONSHIPS

School Leadership Teaming
Principals and superintendents who forge a solid partnership will more effectively determine what to do and how to go about doing it.
Cathie E. West
(Article available to the public)

Dancing With the Teachers' Union President
Avoid stepping on toes by initiating a respectful relationship at the onset.
Don Sternberg

Pulling Together
Maximize your school's learning environment by valuing each staff member's contribution. 
John Daresh and Jane Lynch

Strength in Partners
Using public schools as hubs, community schools bring together many partners to offer a range of supports and opportunities to children, families , and communities.
An interview with Marty Blank

FEATURES

Research Report: Effective Instruction for English-Language Learners
Research focused on instructional strategies of ELL students highlights both the complexity of the task and the importance of educators' roles in developing effective programs.
Nancy Protheroe

No Homeless Child Left Behind
Federal legislation mandates that principals make specific efforts to meet the needs of homeless students.
David Saxberg

IN EVERY ISSUE

From the Editors
A Collaborative Effort
(Article available to the public)

Snapshots
(Article available to the public)

Raising the Bar
At Risk for More Than Academic Failure
James E. Knox Jr.

Ten to Teen
An American Principal in Egypt
Pat Hould

Practitioner's Corner
Safety in the Cafeteria and Playground
Patrick Delmore

Principal's Bookshelf
Humanizing Education: Critical Alternatives to Reform edited by Gretchen Brion-Meisels et al.
Reviewed by Ed Smith

Seven Secrets of the Savvy School Leader: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving by Robert Evans
Reviewed by Kaivan Yuen

The Reflective Principal
It's the Little Things
John D. Halfacre

Speaking Out
High-Stakes Misfits
Matthew Militello
(Article available to the public)

Parents & Schools
Help Parents, Increase Learning—After School
Paul G. Young

It's the Law
Social Networking
Perry A. Zirkel

Postscript
Building Relationships; Building Bridges
Gail Connelly
(Article available to the public)