School Administrator: May 2021

Assessing Student Performance
 



Thought Leadership Series: A Conversation with Marcus Buckingham
Our Thought Leadership Series features an interview between Marcus Buckingham, author of Nine Lies About Work, and Howard Carlson, an executive administrator with the Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council and a former superintendent.

Grading in the Midst of a Pandemic
BY MATT TOWNSLEY
The benefits of “no zero” and other modified practices in several school systems just might outlast the instructional challenges of the moment.

    Undoing the Traditions of Grading and Reporting
    BY THOMAS R. GUSKEY
    One of the nation’s authorities on student assessment sees a silver lining for K-12 education in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    Reliable Data from a Rite of Passage
    BY JUSTIN WELLS
    How a performance assessment system known as portfolio defense challenges learners and informs teachers in ways traditional testing does not.

    The Making of a Homegrown Assessment System
    BY SUSAN J. DUGLE
    A Kentucky school district uses public exhibitions to put its students’ skills and learning to the test.

    Are Your Grading Policies Legally Sound?
    BY LAURA J. LINK AND KENT D. KAUFFMAN
    When student grades are challenged by parents, how can you avoid your day in court?


    STARTING POINT
    Evidence of new ways of gauging student academic growth.
     
    STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
    Community Concurrence
    How leaders compare concerns from the minority community with those of parents in the majority.
     
    BEST OF THE BLOGS
    Excerpts from four AASA members’ recent blog postings of note.
    ETHICAL EDUCATOR
    A New Board’s Hard Right Turn
    Should a superintendent adopt the new school board’s hardball tactics for dealing with teachers on accountability?
           
    LEGAL BRIEF
    Mounting Litigation on Disabilities Issues
    BY SHANNON L. TAHOE
    Circumventing legal complaints by parents of students with disabilities during remote instruction.
     
    BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT
    Efficient Management of the Board Meeting
    BY NICHOLAS D. CARUSO JR.
    Maximizing the productivity of your school board meetings.
     
    SOCIAL MEDIA
    Role Modeling for Black Female Leaders
    BY M. ANN LEVETT
    Using the power of social media to forge connections among superintendents in limited circles.
     

    MY VIEW
    The Paradox of ‘Nice White Parents’
    BY SUZETTE LOVELY
    In her reaction to a prominent podcast, a former superintendent opines on leading for equity as a white educator.

     

    MY VIEW
    Discovering My ‘True North’
    BY BRIGETTE D. MATSON
    A school leader’s journey of self-discovery in uncovering what truly motivates her.

    Messaging During the Recess of COVID-19
     BY MICHAEL MITTELMAN
    Principles for compelling communication about the aftereffects of a public health crisis.


    FOCUS: SCHOOL FACILITIES
    When Choosing an Architect
    BY STEVE F. MIDLOCK
    Capital projects in schools demand expertise in the education arena.

     

    Reading & Resources

    • Book Reviews
    • Abstract
    • Bits & Pieces

     

      

    PRESIDENT’S CORNER
    Rethinking Student Assessment
    BY KRISTI WILSON
    What we’ve learned from the pandemic ought to lead to lasting change in student grading.

    EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
    A Reassessment of How We’re Measuring Students
    BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
    Focusing standardized testing primarily on reading and math precludes attention to other key skills.

    Our monthly compilation of career moves by AASA members.

    PROFILE    : Khalid N. Mumin
    BY JULI VALENTINE
    A finalist for the 2021 National Superintendent of the Year award on turning around his district.

     
     


    READER REPLY

    LEADERSHIP LITE