October/November 2005

FEATURES
Schools of Distinction
It’s not luck or money that takes a school to the top. Winners of this year’s awards, sponsored by Intel and Scholastic, thrive through fresh thinking and fearless leadership. Here’s how they did it—and how you can, too.

Strengthen the Parent Connection
Keep in touch with parents and students every day and in times of crisis. New telephone- and Internet-based services make it easy to keep the lines of communication open.

BEST PRACTICES
Getting the Read on L.A. Students
Newsmaker Ronni Ephraim’s no-nonsense approach to literacy spells success for many students. She tells Scholastic Administr@tor how she does it and what challenges remain.

Dos and Don’ts for Struggling Readers
Are you holding back your most challenged learners? Take a look at these five common traps that stymie these students and the techniques you can use to avoid them.

Data-Driven Districts
Find out why the NSBA is celebrating its picks for this year’s tech-savvy districts.

IN EVERY ISSUE
Plugged In
Coping with Katrina challenges; district-level spending stats; adding up one-to-one initiatives; and more.

Future Schools
Minneapolis students use the Internet to avoid the often dreaded gym class but not the benefits of physical fitness. Learn how.