An educator's guide to the role of the principal

The role of the school principal has become dramatically more complex over the past decade. This has occurred on all fronts: school-based management; accountability requirements at all levels; and various education statutes which have compounded the legal reality of what it means to be a principal, Most legal advice to principals comes in the form of the dry cryptic reading of the education legislation itself, or the carefully crafted bureaucratic policy memoranda of school boards and the Ministry of Education. Roher and Wormwell's An Educator's Guide to the Role of the Principal is the only book of its kind which the principal can turn to for comprehensive, accessible. interesting and helpful advice on virtually every legal matter he or she may face. The principal's role is first placed in its wider context which is to provide passionate, committed leadership for the well-being of all students being served by schools. Every major issue is addressed in both a factual and interpretive manner including guidelines for action which enable principals to anticipate and therefore pre-empt problems. Individual chapters focus on negligence and liability, student records, teacher performance, the problem parent, the non-custodial parent, school attendance. managing medication, suspensions and expulsions, and safe schools. The chapters are informative and interesting, no small feat in working through the legal terrain of today's schools.