Principal November/December 2015: Breaking the Cycle

Principals don’t control systemic issues that contribute to the nation’s student achievement gap, such as inequities in school funding or the growing number of homeless students. But they do, however, have a major impact on a leading equalizer to these inequities: school culture. School culture is at the heart of many of the various strategies educators offer to break the cycle of our nation’s persisting achievement gap. This issue of Principal illustrates ways principals can overcome student inequality, such as reflecting on discipline practices, engaging with parents, and curbing summer slide.
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BREAKING THE CYCLE
Guardians of Equity Pedro Noguera urges principals to lead the quest for equity by advocating for all of their students and being resourceful in meeting students’ needs.
Inspire Growth A journey to improve professional culture and overcome the disadvantages of poverty with learning rooted in soft skills. Vanessa Stuart
Breakthrough on Discipline How do we tackle the problem of disproportionate suspensions and other disciplinary actions associated with racial and ethnic minorities? Edward Fergus
Curb Summer Slide An urban elementary school transitions to a year-round calendar to increase academic opportunities for students. Deyrle Wallace and Vincent Potts
The Critical Ingredient to Early Learning Young learners’ academic success begins at home with strong parent engagement. Searetha Smith-Collins
FEATURES
Crack the Code Creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork abound when students are introduced to coding. Adam Welcome
The Right Stuff Four principals from districts participating in the Wallace Foundation’s Principal Pipeline Initiative talk about what it takes to be an effective leader. Susan McLester
IN EVERY ISSUE
From the Editor A Culture of Equity —Kaylen Tucker
Snapshots Video vs. traditional observations, new grant opportunity, fresh ideas for family nights
Practitioner’s Corner Pay It Forward —Patrick Delmore
Speaking Out Where Has All the Fun Gone? —Joe Drolette
Ten to Teen Double Duty —Paula Southard-Stevens
Raising the Bar Excelling With an Excel Period —Anthony J. Sparano Jr.
Parents & Schools Connect and Engage —Joshua Starr
The Reflective Principal Focus on Student Assets, Not Deficits —David Sanon
Principal’s Bookshelf
Academic Language Literacy: Developing Instructional Leadership Skills for Principals and Teachers By Marjorie C. Ringler —Reviewed by Allen Fain
What Connected Educators Do Differently. By Todd Whitaker, Jeffrey Zoul, and Jimmy Casas —Reviewed by Robert Shappell
It’s the Law Teacher Fluency —Perry A. Zirkel
Postscript The Well-Rounded Education Our Students Deserve —Gail Connelly