The National Center for Education Statistics publishes a biennial series of compendia describing key education outcomes and contexts of education in the Group of Eight (G-8) countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The 2011 report is organized into six topical areas: population and school enrollment, academic performance, contexts for learning, expenditures for education, and educational attainment and income.

Q: As the School Head, should terminations of faculty and staff be my decision, or the Board’s decision? Throughout my career as a Head (this is my first year at this school), employment decisions have always been under my purview. Board members here, though, keep trying to insert themselves in personnel decisions. What do you recommend?

We want to briefly review two cases that have been decided in recent weeks. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC In early January, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that federal discrimination laws “do not protect church employees who perform religious duties, a major church-state decision that recognizes religious groups’ constitutionally protected right to select their own leaders.” (Quoting from a Washington Post article).

In recent years, there has been widespread interest in books recommending “fierce” or “difficult” conversations. For example, two well-known tomes—Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most (by Stone, Patton, and Heen), and Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time (by Susan Scott)—offer many excellent communication techniques.

Blogs, forums, chat rooms, listservs—the list goes on and on. These can be  valuable resources for finding alternative opinions and information about almost anything. From HR concerns to just needing a quick laugh to fuel the rest of your day, blogs can remind you that you're not alone in the all-too often chaotic world of private-independent education.

E-mailing for Pledges Katie Gilman, Director of Development at Veritas School (VA), asked for samples for an e-mail appeal that would help her bring in those last gifts to bring the school up to 100% participation.

Since we first explored QR code scanning in 2D Barcoding: Smartphone Technology to Promote Your School last year, those little square codes have been popping up everywhere! It's a good bet that you have seen them on mailings, sale fliers, in stores, in malls, and many other places. The widespread use of the smart device (iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, etc.) means you really have a new way to get your message to your supporters.

As the No Child Left Behind education law in the United States reaches its 10th anniversary, the maelstrom of teacher accountability, student performance, and high-stakes testing continues to dominate the educational reform rhetoric. And, as a private-independent school Head, your thoughts are turning to teacher contracts. While you are probably free from much of the issue, you are concerned about having the best faculty to deliver your mission to your students.

In his popular blog for teachers, Larry Ferlazzo takes a stab at what is going to happen in education in 2012. “I think I batted close to 50% in last year’s predictions,” said the English teacher from Luther Burbank High School, CA, “That can’t be much worse than those made by professional pundits.”

For schools with ISM’s Domestic Student Accident Insurance, it’s the beginning of the renewal season. For those without it, it’s the beginning of the contemplation season. Should you protect your students or leave it up to the parents to provide health and accident coverage for their children under their insurance plans?