In the Political Landscape, the League of Women Voters’ Joan Platz includes updates on the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the state budget, local report cards, the 40th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll, and news from ODE.

Professional Readings raids the archives:

• The “Vision Thing”: How to create an appropriate vision and the elements that make your vision inspirational and effective
• Leading with a Vision for Effective Collaboration: Discusses ways to expand an administrator’s collaborative efforts to improve communication and cooperation with staff members
• Job Performance Goals and Activities: A list of goals and activities covering four major areas of concern for principals—organization, curriculum, communication, and leadership
• Part 2: What’s Worth Fighting for in the Principalship: Overview of Dr. Michael Fullen’s book outlines how a principal can fill the roles needed as administrator and leader of school business, but also can keep the focus on education and learning.
• The First Days of School: Overview of a resource book that is useful for both teachers and administrators to improve teacher effectiveness and school-based professional development

Develop Your Staff describes Communicating with Parents: Ways to encourage parents to address their issues or concerns about a school to the administration and staff, and how to implement changes based on those ideas (by Diana Williams).