The demands placed on principals in the era of No Child Left Behind are rapidly increasing. In light of these challenges, balancing diverse roles and additional responsibilities can be arduous for even the finest school leaders. The use of portfolio-based teacher appraisals has emerged as an intriguing option to make the time required for teacher evaluation more productive and the process more meaningful, comprehensive, and accurate. This study examines the value of a district-wide, portfoliobased teacher evaluation system. Results indicate that teachers and administrators perceive that teacher portfolios were more accurate and comprehensive than the traditional snapshot observation and, despite some disadvantages, suggest that portfolios show promise as a tool for teacher evaluation and professional growth.

No abstract

Many school districts that have adopted block scheduling are trying to determine if the change was worth the effort. This case study examined one school district's attempt to answer the question: Is block scheduling cost-effective? Analysis of a wide range of data suggests that traditional notions of cost-effectiveness are not always applicable when considering school reform. A novel interpretation of cost-effectiveness emerged that may encourage districts to make further improvements.

No abstract