A transforming redesign: the bold new pages of DA magazine offer a compelling take on K12 education.

THIS ISSUE MARKS THE LAUNCH OF AN EXCITING NEW LOOK FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION magazine that started several months ago with changing the cover to make it more functional. DA covers are now unique tables of contents for major features in each issue, so you can jump directly to topics of interest. But the pages in the magazine have now been given a bold and crisp new design developed by art director Susan Rohal-Corbett and our staff, and even my photo has been updated "as much as possible." The valuable professional content you expect from DA each month is therefore more readable and accessible than ever. This includes feature articles coordinated by Angela Pascopella, district and administrator profiles directed by Judy Hartnett, product reviews and curriculum updates compiled by Ken Royal, and breaking news reports written by Zach Miners. Let us know what you think.

We are also tapping the expertise of an expanded network of contributing editors across the country and our exclusive--and often controversial--columnists. These include Gary Stager on "Speaking Out," who this month tells us that edugaming is a "bad idea for all ages"; Will Richardson on "The Online Edge," who underscores the importance of a personal "online presence"; and guest columnists such as Anne L. Bryant, executive director of the National School Boards Association, who gives us "Straight Talk on Graduation Rates." Month by month we pledge to provide the best reporting, the best thinking and the best writing.

In addition, we are integrating the content of the magazine with our Web site in powerful new ways, so you can easily find, copy, e-mail, print and link to columns and articles on topics to help you and your staff do your jobs better. Visit the DA Web site to see our growing array of resources, including guides, directories, special reports, free Web seminars, "Sites of the Week," listings of school executive jobs throughout the United States, and postings by our active community of bloggers on The Pulse: Education's Place for Debate.

Letters to the Editors

But YOU, our reader, are a vital member of our team, and we want to tap your expertise too. We are therefore also launching a new "Letters" page in this issue for thoughts on any topic in the magazine or on the Web site. For example, in this issue we would love to know your opinions on edugaming, school security, or the new math guidelines from the NCTM. Comments can be entered directly online, mailed or e-mailed to Managing Editor Judy Hartnett, 488 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 ([e-mail]). Contributions become the property of DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, and published examples may be edited for length or clarity. Please keep those messages and letters coming in.

300 Words Can Earn You $30,000

We're not kidding! The competitive "X-Factor Student Achievement Awards" are well underway, so you can put your plan to improve student performance in your district to the test. We're looking for highly creative ideas across all disciplines that are practical, easy to implement, measurable and transferable to other districts. Tell us your X-Factor idea in three hundred words, and you'll be eligible for the $30,000 cash grand prize to be awarded in January 2008. For more information visit the Web page (www.DistrictAdministration.com/xfactor).

Be sure and mark your calendar for EduComm 2007, June 19-21 in Anaheim, Calif. (www.educommconference.com). We hope to see YOU there!

Odvard Egil Dyrli

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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