Descriptive case study of one group of 38 university students seeking alternative certification, thirty-two of which were full-time teachers. Seeks to determine motivation for seeking alternative certification, perceptions about influence of previous careers on teaching performance, and nature of support during first year of teaching. Finds three…

Examines factors related to aggression at school, particularly involving alcohol use. Finds school aggression higher among students who are male, rebellious, have a weak sense of school identification, low academic achievement, and drink alcohol during the school day. Schools that encourage school involvement and alcohol resistance may help…

This study examined the conditions and concerns of principals in Virginia to see what their experiences and perceptions are of the growing shortage in the principalship. Findings suggest that principals do not feel that they have sufficient authority and resources to get the job done and that they are working long hours to fill the gap. More than…

Uses ten-student focus group from Saskatchewan high school to examine student attitudes toward leadership involvement and decision making opportunities related to academics, building school climate, and cocurricular activities. Discusses student leadership issues involving relationships with staff members and social, school, and community…

Surveys 86 teachers from five Florida counties to determine their perceptions of their principals' effectiveness as evaluators. Finds four areas teachers consider essential for effective teacher evaluation: Principal initiated interaction with teachers, consistent evaluation process, principal commitment to effective evaluations, and principal…

Examines influence of mentoring on the job placement for 25 students in a master's degree and principal certification program at the University of Houston. Longitudinal study uses mixed methods survey research design. Finds, for example, that minority women who did not have mentors were still in the classroom one year after completing the program.…

Argues that because there is no overall teacher shortage, but rather specific subject area shortages and adverse selection and allocation problems, the No Child Left Behind Act's requirements that all teachers be "highly qualified" is important and attainable. To improve teacher quality, teacher certification should be modernized and…

This article focuses on data-based decision making at the school level and provides guidelines for principals. Necessary prior conditions, methods for developing a data-oriented culture, and expected outcomes are discussed. By using data, administrators can analyze programmatic decisions and promote empowerment of staff.

A field study conducted by 8 students and a faculty supervisor of a principal preparation program determined that individual and team reflection resulted in shared learning from team training and ongoing team activities. An industrial concept known as value-chain teams has implications for monitoring student progress from kindergarten through…

The academic and political arguments about teacher quality affect how secondary principals do their jobs. Educational research provides useful guidance about which teacher candidates may be most likely to increase student achievement, but it must be used critically and cautiously. When individuals with varying political agendas interpret the same…

Eighth graders (N = 136) were divided into two groups: students who had participated in at least one interscholastic sport and were classified as athletes (n = 73), and students who had not participated in interscholastic sports and were classified as nonathletes (n = 63). The mean grade point average (GPA) for each group and subgroup was computed…

This study describes the bullying behaviors reported by 198 students in grade 8 in two middle schools in the same southern city. Of the students, 92% reported observing some type of bullying at their school at least "sometimes." Nearly one half of the students did not tell anyone when they were bullied. Those who did report bullying were most…

This article discusses the role of educators in suicide prevention. First, the incidence of adolescent suicide in the United States is discussed. Next, case laws related to suicide in educational settings are reviewed. Court rulings indicate that educators can be found negligent in cases involving suicide only if the court finds that they owed a…

Block scheduling constitutes one of the major types of restructuring considered by school administrators seeking to improve student performance. The relationship between two school schedules--the seven-period A/B block and the seven-period traditional schedule--and achievement of students in grade 11 was examined. Comparisons showed no significant…

This study describes the bullying behaviors reported by 136 grade 9 students in two high schools in the same Southern city. Nearly 75% of students reported observing some type of bullying at their school. Bullied students were most apt to tell their mother or a friend about their experience, but rarely told a teacher or an administrator. Findings…