School Administrator: January 2020

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Attitudes and Beliefs About Disabilities
BY JENNA MANCINI RUFO
The assistant superintendent of a suburban Philadelphia district discovers where the drive for inclusive practices for students begins and ends.

‘I’m Afraid There Has Been a Mistake’
BY JULIE N. CAUSTON, KATE MACLEOD AND GEORGE THEOHARIS
Tales of three students who were significantly impacted by widely differing special education placements.

Be the Champion! When It Comes to Special Education
BY NATHAN LEVENSON
What every superintendent can do to prompt better learning by students with disabilities.

Board Leadership on Inclusive Practices, Equity and Access for All
BY KURT A. SCHNEIDER AND SUZANNE B. SANDS
With the need to realign human and financial resources and deploy integrated supports, buy-in by the district’s governance body is a vital first measure.

• Inclusion initiatives in school districts

Students Directing Individualized Education Programs
BY LYNDA C. VAN KUREN
With increasing frequency, districts are enabling those with disabilities to lead their own planning meetings.

• Judy Hackett: The personal appeal of student-led IEPs

For Special Needs Students, It’s Therapy From Afar
BY MERRI ROSENBERG
Can electronic delivery of services for special education in remote communities address the shortage of speech-language pathologists and other specialists?

• What to consider about online services
• Directory of teletherapy firms

STARTING POINT
Current thinking about students with disabilities contributes to the editor’s dim view of the “sunshine class.”

STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
Prompts for Applying for the Job
What are the top factors that lead superintendents to position openings?

BEST OF THE BLOGS
Sharp thinking in the excerpts of four superintendents’ recent blog postings.

ETHICAL EDUCATOR
A Parent’s Smear Campaign
Our panel analyzes the case of a furious school board member who campaigns publicly for a course transfer for his son, leading to mental anguish for the principal.

SOCIAL MEDIA
My Support of Student Takeovers
BY LUVELLE BROWN
Several times a month, this superintendent shares his social media logins with a student. What good comes from this?

BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT
Reining in the Rogues
BY DOUG EADIE
A troublemaking board member can poison your culture, so prevention is the best antidote.

LEGAL BRIEF
Confronting an Impaired Educator on the Job
BY V. WAYNE YOUNG
On-the-job substance abuse is comparatively low in education, but you don’t want to be caught by surprise.

MY VIEW
The Biggest Challenge in School Sports? The Fans
BY KARISSA L. NIEHOFF
The epidemic of inappropriate adult behavior at high school athletic events, in the eyes of the executive director of interscholastic athletics’ governing body.

FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
The Cloud’s Effect on School Tech Departments
BY WARREN LUEBKEMAN
Major impacts include budgeting, long-term planning, staffing and accessibility of technology in the classroom.

Reading & Resources

• Book Reviews
• Abstract
• Bits & Pieces

 

  

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
The Universal Language of Education
BY DEBORAH L. KERR
Carrying a message of equity in education to a mission in Morocco.

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
Blurring the Lines for Student Benefit
BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
Community college and school system leaders no longer line up on opposite sides.

PEOPLE WATCH
Our monthly tracking of AASA members’ career movements.

PROFILE: Gwendolyn P. Shannon
BY PAUL RIEDE
She started in science and landed in the superintendency.