Parents have questions for school administrators. They want to know how they hire teachers, erect facilities, select learning materials, protect students, allocate budgets, use data, make forecasts, measure progress, and compete with for-profit schools. This book examines the questions they pose, the answers they elicit, the allies they attract, the adversaries they arouse, and the improvements they prod.

Parents asked educators about their children’s learning. Frustrated when they were ignored, they asked politicians to put pressure on the educators. They were then surprised when the politicians provided personal advice about the optimal way to nurture learning. They were even more surprised when the politicans prescribed changes to instruction, curriculum, textbooks, technology, school safety, teacher retention, student behavior, school funding, and even the menus for school cafeterias. More frustrated than ever, they intensified their barrage of common sense questions.

Parents had questions about the tests their children took at school. They considered them to be common sense questions. They posed them to the businesspeople, publishers, and politicians who championed tests. They also posed them to the school administrators, teachers, and union leaders who criticized them. This book examines the questions the parents posed, the answers they elicited, and the changes they prodded.

There are times in today's educational world when it seems as if common sense has lost its place as a factor in critical decision making. This book strives to provide alternative, practical, and commonsense solutions to decision making in several traditional areas of education. Intended for professional leaders in education, including administrators and teachers, the chapters are cleverly divided into stories, theory, and practice. It is a myth that experience always equates to quality and that creating successful school change can start with anyone, anywhere. Research and best practice can work hand in hand with common sense to bridge the gap between today's educational world and the days of the one-room schoolhouse. Teachers and administrators interested in commonsense practice will also be left with a reminder of why they got into the game of education in the first place and why the field cannot go forward without them.

"Teachers will love the straightforward, practical information. The topics and strategies are excellent." —Debi Gartland, Professor of Special Education, Towson University "Impressive. Pinpoints current classroom issues and offers direct problem-solving approaches. This easy-to-implement resource, with its organized chapter outlines and well-crafted format, is flexible and adaptable to any grade, subject, or ability level." —Erin Ann Witty, Special Education Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools, WI "Provides great insight for developing and organizing your overall daily routine, planning, and teaching." —Mariann C. Carter, Exceptional Needs Specialist, South Carolina Department of Education "A valuable reference for any special education teacher. With a focus on classroom management, the guide covers all aspects of teaching, from paperwork to professional relationships. New and veteran teachers will find indispensable resources to improve their practice and enrich their learning." —Peggy Holtman, Special Education Supervisor, Milwaukee Public Schools, WI Special education teaching strategies in a no-nonsense format! If you′re a teacher new to special education, this book is for you! This newest Common-Sense Classroom Management guide addresses the most critical challenges that arise when teaching adolescent learners with special needs. In this flexible and easy-to-implement resource, educators will find 80 concise and teacher-tested strategies. Each strategy works in five steps or fewer, helping special educators feel competent and confident about working with coteachers, teacher aides, support staff, administrators, and families. The authors, all special education experts, provide practical assistance with: Specially designed instruction and student organization to make teaching more effective Legal responsibilities aligned with IDEIA and NCLB requirements Positive behavioral supports, including incentive programs and meaningful consequences Ideal for teachers new to special education, teacher trainers, and teacher mentors, this resource provides a clear-sighted focus to help you shape the structure of each teaching day and ensure success for all your learners with special needs!

This updated bestseller offers more than 70 easy-to-implement classroom strategies with new tips for handling standardized testing, Internet safety, classroom hygiene, parent-teacher relationships, and more!

"A great resource for new teachers and veterans . . . full of tips and ideas that any teacher can use to prevent problems from occurring. [It] should be in every special education classroom." -Therese Kwiatkowski, Director of Special Education Cooperative Educational Service Agency "As a former special education teacher, I highly recommend this book for all those who want to be more effective in every aspect of their work. All of the special education teachers at my school will have copies of this practical guide." -Marybeth Sandvig, Principal Manitoba K-8 School, Milwaukee, WI Special help for special education teachers means special success for students! Do you have too many IEPs on your desk? Is it five o′clock and do you still need to contact parents, social workers, and general education co-teachers? Teachers new to special education often feel overwhelmed at the amount of additional planning and information management required. This practical guide shows you how to shape the structure of the teaching day to ensure that learners with special needs experience success. It includes simple teacher-tested, easy-to-implement strategies needing 5 steps or fewer to: Organize students to make the most of the time you have with them Use incentive programs and meaningful consequences to achieve desired behaviors Coordinate with co-teachers, general education teachers, and staff to maximize your efforts When the key paperwork is at your fingertips, the lesson plan is prepared, and the to-do list is written, you will find more time in your day for what′s most important-your students!

The eighth edition of Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science, now published in paperback and hardback, offers students a clear and practical guide to best practice for measurement and evaluation in school- and nonschool-based physical activity programs. Written by two academics with backgrounds in physical education teacher education (PETE), the book emphasizes the link between theory and practice and reflects the most recent changes in national physical education programs. It covers a full range of introductory topics, including current trends in measurement and evaluation, program development, statistics, test selection, and an expanded chapter on alternative assessment, before introducing: • measurement for health-related physical fitness • measurement for psychomotor skills • measurement for cognitive knowledge • measurement for affective behaviors • grading • self-evaluation. Each chapter features learning aids such as objectives, key terms, practical applications, and review questions, while an appendix offers in-depth Excel assignments. Offering a full companion website featuring an instructor’s manual, lecture slides, and a test bank, Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science is a complete resource for instructors and students, alike. It is an essential text for students in measurement and evaluation classes as part of a degree program in physical education, exercise science or kinesiology, and a valuable reference for practitioners seeking to inform their professional practice.