Changing even the smallest things in schools is hard--just ask any principal who has overseen a rescheduling of bus routes. So imagine the difficulty of getting a school to move its curriculum and instruction from familiar learning requirements to brand-new nationwide standards. Yet this is exactly the sort of change public schools in 45 states…

Much like a Jazz group, successful middle level schools are also founded on elements of improvisation, collaboration, teamwork, and responsive communication. Just as the director of the jazz group must have a solid foundation of music theory, the skills to bring out the best in the players, and an attitude that allows others to shine, those who…

This article presents an interview with Ray Landers, the 2009 MetLife NASSP Middle Level Principal of the Year. Landers talks about how he and his staff members put programs in place to erase poverty gap at his school. He stresses the need to make sure that principals empower teachers so that collaborative decision making can take place.

Effective school leaders are effective communicators, although their methods and styles of communication vary. Some are eloquent speakers, others effective writers, and some communicate through modeling. However, virtually all effective leaders are consistent, authentic communicators and attentive, respectful listeners, yet communicating within…

"Developing School Leaders: A Call for Collaboration" calls for professional development for principals that is a "seamless garment" that extends through preservice, induction, career changes, and retirement (NASSP, 1992). Daresh and Playko (1992) concur with this assertion, stating that training should not be fragmented, but should occur…

School leaders will never have an easy job, especially those who sit in the principal's chair. Yet identifying site needs, establishing priorities, and devoting the bulk of one's time to these priorities enables principals to more effectively take control of their day. It can be hard to deal with what is important instead of what is urgent, but…

All educators are very concerned about the tremendous need for new principals. Different strategies are in place to fill vacancies in the principalship. Principals can be developed from the existing ranks of educators, hired from outside the field, or through a combination of both. To meet their immediate needs, however, most school districts want…

This article profiles Principal of the Year Mel Riddile, a former University of North Carolina football linebacker and principal of J. E. B. Stuart High school in Fairfax County, Virginia. Riddile was recently named the national high school principal of the year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and MetLife.…

This article profiles Randy Jensen, the 2005 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. As the principal of William Thomas Middle School in American Falls, Idaho, Jensen is a committed advocate for his students as they grapple with the challenges that come with being an adolescent and has adopted an open-door policy with his school…

Various research studies have asserted the significance of school leadership on student learning. Although the research-based knowledge about principalship continues to grow, there is a paucity of practical information about how to perform the essential tasks. How do principals develop and then act upon a deep understanding of supporting teachers?…

In this article, the author reflects on the ability to have schools that can develop students for the 21st century. He states that despite the constant search for reform solutions, the future of school improvement depends on people, not programs. Schools must hire excellent teachers and strive to make all teachers as good as the best teacher in…

After all of the theories, strategies, discussions, and classes are completed, new principals often still feel isolated and think they have to reinvent the wheel to learn the basic lessons of leadership--how to improve school climate, how to provide leadership for change, how to communicate effectively, and how to manage time. However, they do not…

In the interview process, every aspiring principal naively speaks of assuming the role of instructional leader. The candidate has read the right books, taken the right courses, and attended every possible workshop to prepare for the day when he or she would become captain of his or her own ship. However, it does not take long for principals to…

The presentation of statistics in administrator preparation programs is often irrelevant to administrative realities, fails to integrate appropriate teaching technologies, and stresses inferential statistics over statistical strategies for improving skills in problem analysis, program and student evaluation, data-based decision making, and report…

Examines how educators have overcome obstacles to school improvement and implemented recommendations in "Breaking Ranks" governing technology, personalization, and organization and time. Implementation often falters due to large enrollments, time factors, school goals, and traditional views of teacher roles, responsibilities, and…