ISM continues to identify the tasks of the School Head as becoming more complex and demanding. But what are the specifics and the implications? Consider Figure 1, which shows the different areas where the Head is expected to have both expertise and increasing involvement.
Got a Handle on Peanut Allergies? What About Glutens?
There is a good chance your school has one or more children who live with peanut, or any kind of nut, allergies, either mild or severe. Common in schools are "peanut-free" lunchroom tables and a complete ban on any peanut products brought into schools. But there is another food intolerance that is coming to the forefront—the intolerance to glutens. Glutens may be more invasive than nut products, since they "hide" not only in foods but in other nonfood products.
It's Hiring Season—Know What Not to Ask
About now, many of you are involved in interviewing and offering positions to new faculty members. As you engage candidates in conversation during the interview, you need to step lightly, and remember that your questions should focus only on the individual's qualifications for the job. There are many areas, which you may casually ask about, that are "illegal" in the interview scenario. Some will come to mind right away—such as race, health, and age—as dangerous places to venture. But others you may casually trip into, not realizing questions about the person's organization memberships, residence, or family could be the foundation for a lawsuit. As our HR Consultant is fond of saying, "Polite conversation is dangerous."
Technology and Student Achievement: Implications of the ‘West Virginia Story’
Spurred by competition with other schools, parental and societal demands, and the hope of enhancing their educational programs, schools have raised money, built/renovated facilities, and hired additional staff, all to give students access to technology. Now that the computers and infrastructure are in place, Boards and Heads want to know what benefits to expect from improved technology and when they can begin seeing them. Teachers want to know the expectations of the administration and Board. Everyone wants to measure whether the investment in technology has improved learning.
The 21st Century School: Curriculum and Technology
The 20th century curriculum paradigm was dominated by the power (and needs) of publishers who took a considerable amount of time to develop textbooks and drove a profitable mass market in educationally acceptable knowledge. The 21st century curriculum paradigm is far more anarchic, with “textbook” knowledge being accessible and created through “social production”2 (collaborative work with open platforms) and largely available for free.
‘Priority’ Students: The Unpleasant Side of ‘Demand in Excess of Supply’
One of second-tier markers of the ISM Stability Markers® is “demand in excess of supply.” While it would be desirable for every grade to be described this way, ISM has always viewed this Marker as critical when it describes the situation at the school’s traditional “entry” grades (e.g., pre-kindergarten, sixth, ninth)—the first grade of the school and the grade(s) where it expands, either through attrition or by design, the number of seats available for new students.
No "Sexting" at Your School? It's More Common Than You Think
In its new study Sex and Tech: Results From a Survey of Teens and Young Adults, The National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy found that 39% of teens have sent or posted sexually suggestive messages via text, e-mail, or instant message. And 20% of teens have sent or posted online nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves. This collision of cyber technology and judgment, dubbed "sexting," could have a profound effect on your school.
21st Century Teaching: Lessons That Are Challenging, Relevant, and Reflective
Two veteran teachers in a school each teach a secondary World Geography class. They have approximately the same class sizes, the same content, and the same access to technology. The students of the first teacher groan at the mention of his subject, while the students of the second teacher can't wait to get to class. So what is making the difference???
In this case it has to do with the pedagogy each has elected to use.
Faculty and Staff Use of Social Media: Sample Policy
Social media—including sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, and other online discussion forums—has extended its reach into many areas of modern life, including (or especially) the lives of students, as well as teachers and administrators. While the origins of these services are social in nature (i.e., not job-related), they have evolved to the point where certain uses of these outlets may impact the reputation and well-being of your school and its members (for example, if they inadvertently serve as a conduit facilitating inappropriate relationships between students and faculty/staff). Due to this possibility, the use of social media resources becomes part of the school’s appropriate purview with respect to employees.
Budget Cuts Mean an Opportunity to Reach Out to Public School Students
Every day, there are stories in the news that public school districts are forced to cut programs for budgetary reasons. Chances are this has happened in your community. This can be a perfect opportunity to offer after-school, evening, or weekend programs to your community that will introduce your school to a wider audience.