The purpose of this guide is to assist principals of Chicago Public Schools in preparing for the 1983 Academy for Effective Schools and in tailoring 1983-84 school objectives and action plans to meet the needs of their local schools. Included in this booklet are: (1) a statement of possible instructional and attendance goals for 1983-84; (2) a description of how to conduct a needs assessment; (3) a description and a sample of printouts which the principal can use to obtain information on the achievement of each child and the distribution of stanines by grade; (4) a set of guidelines for coordinating Chapter I, Special Education, State Title I, Chapter II, Bilingual, and Equal Employment Opportunity programs with the school curriculum; (5) sample action plans for elementary and high schools; and (6) an action plan checklist. (KH)