School Leadership Essay Example

School Leadership Essay Example School Leadership Essay School Leadership Essay The functioning of the schools has been constantly changing in response to the changing trends in education. The foundations and frame work for change is introduced by the principal, who then progressively adapts it in cooperation with all those, whom it would matter. The traditional image of a school principal being a strong manager in a hierarchical system or a high caliber executive, ensuring everyone’s conformity in line, is quickly fading. No longer is the principal performing just ceremonial or formal tasks. The new age demands and expects more from the education system and looks upon the principal to deliver. A principal’s strong belief and leadership are very important for the success of school changes, in the long run. Several recent studies calling for school reforms have emphasized the need to redefine the role of school principal. The principal may be described as the central point of the school change process, attempting to balance the requirements and view points of the teachers, community, district and state (Cushman, 1992). Broadly speaking, the leadership qualities of a principal is observed in the development of a school culture to facilitate learning, set up shared learning goals, recognize economic and social issues that may be affect education.   Decentralization of decision making to local school level, site-based management and self managed schools are becoming increasingly common which highlight the need to review the principal’s role (Caldwell and Spinks, 1992, 1998). Owing to pressure for reform and improvement in school functioning, several government agencies and departments associated with the school education are helping in the professional development of the principal. The need to work with external community, manage revenues, align curriculum to make it compatible with established standards and develop decision making bodies are some of the modified roles intended for principals (Barnett). Occupying a vital position in the complex working of the school, the principal’s job incorporates a number of roles including those of psychologist, teacher, facilities manager, philosopher, police officer, diplomat, social worker, mentor, PR director, coach and cheerleader. In any such role, the principal confronts all extremities associated with it. For instance dealing with a broken window to a broken house, a bruised knee to a bruised ego, a rusty pipe to a rusty teacher (Sherman, 2000). nbsp; REFERENCES Cushman K. (Sept. 1992) The Essential School Principal: A Changing Role in a Changing School.; Horace Vol. 9, # 1.. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved on 2nd May, 2007 from essentialschools.org/cs/resources/view/ces_res/102 Caldwell, B J Spinks, J M, (1992) Leading the self-managing school London, Falmer Press Sherman L. Spring (2000). The New Principal. MW Education [Electronic Version]. Retrieved on 2nd May, 2007 from www.sedl.org Schoolfile. The Role of the School Principal. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved on 2nd May, 2007 from schoolfile.com/cap_start/roleprin.htm Barnett B.G, The changing external policy context and the Role of the school principal. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Northern Colorado [Electronic Version]. Retrieved on 2nd May, 2007 from ncsl.org.uk

Helpling With Organization Skills in LD Students

Helpling With Organization Skills in LD Students Helping students with the organization is important. Organization skills are worthwhile life-long skills. Some people have a knack for great organization skills and some dont. Students with learning disabilities can benefit from the following strategies to help with organization. Helping the child to develop a routine will ultimately lead to organization success. The goal of the organization is to eliminate tardiness, forgetfulness, lack of preparedness and procrastination. These habits need to be eliminated and replaced with strategies to ensure the student is utilizing good organization skills. Once again, a consistent approach that is reinforced on a regular basis will be a tremendous help. A daily agenda or timetable should be with the student at all times during the school day and every effort should be in place to ensure that its used regularly.If you have extra texts, it would benefit the student to have a copy at home.Checklists to ensure that all steps or procedures are followed should be plain view.Give the student organizers - graphic organizers, checklists, subtitles, outlines etc. that assist with written work and assignments. Sample Agenda Type List PDFBreak down all items that are to be included in assignments and provide goals to be reached and ensure that checkpoints are in place.Teach the child how to highlight pertinent information and take notes that are meaningful.Communicate regularly about progress and strategies for improvement.Make sure that you have a positive home-school connection with the support needed to ensure success.Provide verbal prompts and cues to ensure the student is prepared. For example, ask the student what needs to be done on the given night. If he answers math, ask what is needed to complete the math. Help with verbal cues often which will eventually lead to the student reflecting back on whats needed. Sometimes a checklist stating what needs to be done and whats needed to do it is very helpful. At the end of each day, the child will ensure that both are complete.Some children have great organizational skills, however, many dont. Children need to be taught that everything has a place. Organization starts at home and there are many opportunities that parents can seize to help keep a child organized. Be sure that the child knows where his belongings go. Have a spot for books, toys, writing tools, collections etc. Remind the child where things go and how to create a home for belongings that dont yet have that special place.