Helen Keller once said, “Knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge—broad, deep knowledge—is to know true ends from false, and lofty things from low.” Critics claim that the knowledge base about assessment systems is too shallow, asserting that evaluation and measurement tools merely skim the surface of what a student knows, how a teacher engages learning, or to what degree principals lead learning communities. This issue of Principal aims to go deep on the topic with theme articles focusing on the various ways to evaluate and measure student, teacher, and principal performance, including a discussion of multiple measures and a Web Exclusive on Common Core State Standards.

In addition, we’ve included feature articles on the continued significance of handwriting instruction in the 21st century and the last article in the five-part Unlocking Autism series.

As this issue goes to press, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the rate of children born with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen to 1 in 88, up from 1 in 110. As a result of the increase, schools are enrolling more students with ASD, but unfortunately, not all schools are prepared to meet their needs. Many teachers and principals admit feeling helpless to provide students with ASD with an effective and inclusive education. Through this series, Principal set out to provide a robust collection of tools on autism, including original articles and online resources, to help move the needle on equipping educators with information about the special needs of this student population.

In this issue, we feature an elementary principal’s case study on a successful inclusion program. Principal will continue to speak to this increasingly prevalent disorder and update the resource page (www.naesp.org/autism), where we will archive the articles from this series and the dozens of other articles and links that we have compiled in the process.

Meanwhile, the editors are preparing another year of magazine issues that will provide you with the insight and breadth of knowledge that you need to lead effective learning communities. So while summer might be short, consider scheduling time to write and submit an article for possible publication on one of the themes listed below.

2012-2013 Principal Magazine Themes

September/October 2012: Common Core State Standards. Deadline: May 4, 2012

November/December 2012: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Deadline: July 2, 2012

January/February 2013: Teacher and Staff Development. Deadline: Aug. 29, 2012

March/April 2013: Transitions. Deadline: Oct. 19, 2012

May/June 2013: The Achievement Gap. Deadline: Dec. 21, 2012

Ongoing Theme: Early Career Principals. Deadline: Rolling

More details are available at www.naesp.org/writing.

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