Principal March/April 2016: New Approaches to Instruction

As the world around them is always evolving, today’s students often benefit from new and innovative approaches to learning. The feature articles in this issue of Principal present real-world examples of the principal’s role in leading instruction—providing a complete education experience that builds on stimulating instructional practices that not only prepare students for college and career, but that are customized for today’s learners and are truly student-centered.
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NEW APPROACHES TO INSTRUCTION
Validated Change We have no shortage of ideas for improving instruction. The challenge is finding the right ideas, validating them, and taking them school- or systemwide. Justin Baeder
Scaling to the Top to Close the Gap Special education and general education teachers teamed up to implement Marzano’s proficiency scales and improve student skills. Andrea J. Spas and Steven A. Morrone
A Maker Culture Flexible makerspaces teach students to take risks, inspiring a deeper form of learning. Laura Fleming
Cultivating Creativity Schoolwide collaboration and commitment leads to successfully integrating the arts. Susan B. Herrera
Tips for Effective Blended Learning Five steps to help teachers reach the delicate balance of blended instruction. Amy E. Baeder
FEATURES
How to Tune In Emotional intelligence pioneer Daniel Goleman weighs in on how education leaders can use the techniques to improve schools.
Shifting the Focus to People Effective data system implementation is as much about leadership as it is about technology. Vincent Cho, Ann Allwarden, and Jeffrey C. Wayman
Teacher Voice: Problem or Potential? Take steps to enrich the voice of your vocal and not-so-vocal teachers. Russell J. Quaglia and Lisa L. Lande
IN EVERY ISSUE
From the Editor What Kids Deserve —Kaylen Tucker
Snapshots Research report, student recognition, teacher buy-in
Practitioner’s Corner Data-Driven Bullying Prevention —James Dillon
Raising the Bar Getting Students to Care About Learning —Sylvia Zircher
Ten to Teen The Changing Science Classroom —Nancy Foote
Speaking Out The Decline of Art Means the Decline of Future Innovators —George Szekely
Parents & Schools Home Visit Tips for ELLs —Belinda Y. Louie and Richard Knuth
The Reflective Principal Double Duty —Dan Butler
Principal’s Bookshelf
Learning to Improve: How America’s Schools Can Get Better at Getting Better By Anthony S. Bryk, Louis M. Gomez, Alicia Gunrow, and Paul G. LeMahieu —Reviewed by Brian Bond
Interactive Student Centered Learning: A Cooperative Approach to Learning By Edward Spooner —Reviewed by Jenny Nauman
It’s the Law Yoga in the Curriculum? —Perry A. Zirkel
Postscript A Brand New Sputnik Moment —Gail Connelly