Principals and other high school and middle school educators will be able to learn from expert colleagues across the country without leaving their schools, thanks to a new program developed by a national principals’ group.
Starting Oct. 8, the National Association of Secondary School Principals will use satellite technology to beam twice-weekly television programs to subscribing schools. Audience members will be able to interact with the experts during and after the presentations by telephone, fax, or e-mail.
“It’s getting harder and harder for principals and teachers to be away from their buildings,” said Lenor Hersey, who is heading the network for the Reston, Va.-based NASSP. “This is the way to go to provide professional-development.”
In announcing the program last week, Ms. Hersey stressed that the effort, called “Paragon: Excellence in Education,” will be more than a series of television programs. “This is not just a glorified version of sitting down in the afternoon and watching a video,” she said. “We’re going to provide instruction about how to use this,” as well as recommendations for follow-up.
For More Information To learn more about the television network, go to www.paragonnetwork.com or call (800) 784-9670. |
Timely Issues
The network will also include monthly discussions of current education issues featuring reporters and editors from Education Week, who will then respond to questions on an Internet bulletin board. “The show will be an hourlong, moderated forum, similar to ‘Washington Week in Review’ on public television,” said Liz Parker, a senior editor at the newspaper.
For a fee of $2,000, schools will receive 40 programs, which will initially be telecast on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during most weeks of the coming the school year. The programs may also be taped for later or repeat showings. Scheduled topics include devising successful school-to-work programs, stress management for principals, block scheduling, and what educators should expect from their school technology coordinators.
Participating schools will need to have satellite dishes installed for a one-time cost of $500.
